Publications
Partners
- Gift of the Givers cannot travel to storm-ravaged Libya.
- This due to logistics and security limitations.
- Thousands of people were killed, more than 10 100 were reported missing, and many need health care following Storm Daniel.
Gift of the Givers has cancelled plans to send a team of 70 rescuers to Libya following massive floods due to security limitations.
Its leader, Imtiaz Sooliman, said they received numerous calls from the Libyan presidency, requesting highly qualified personnel to assist the distraught nation.
The country has been hit by a massive flood fed by the breaching of two dams brought on by a storm system called Storm Daniel.
As a result, thousands of people were killed, more than 10 100 were reported missing, and thousands are in need of health care.
Gift of the Givers responded with an initial team of 70 that were on standby, including medical, search and rescue and aquatic specialists with all relevant equipment.
READ | The death toll in Libya's flood is now at 11 300, and still rising
"Logistics and security was going to be the limiting factor. The safest way to get to within 180km of Derna was to land a chartered aircraft at Tobruk.
"We tried unsuccessfully with nine private companies to hire a plane."
Sooliman continued:
He added the Libyan government offered to send a flight to fetch our teams, however, they refused for "several reasons".
"They graciously acknowledged and accepted our concerns."
DEVELOPING | Libya floods: UN says death toll rose to 11 300, but 'shocked' Red Crescent denies figure
As an alternative, Gift of the Givers, with the assistance of Al Shifa Holdings, a private benefactor, will send a cargo plane with body bags, formalin, medical supplies, consumables, PPEs, gloves, baby food, fortified food and energy drinks.
"They [Al Shifa Holdings] are arranging clearances with OR Tambo International for arrival on Wednesday. Gift of the Givers will fill the plane.
"In addition, we are in discussion with medical companies to airlift medical supplies from [the] UAE to Tripoli," said Sooliman.
He added those wanting to support this humanitarian initiative could deposit money into Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account number 052278611, Branch Code 057525, ref: Libya Floods.
