A man prays as the destruction caused by the fatal floods is visible in the background, in Derna, Libya, September 20, 2023. Reuters
A man prays as the destruction caused by the fatal floods is visible in the background, in Derna, Libya, September 20, 2023. Reuters
A man prays as the destruction caused by the fatal floods is visible in the background, in Derna, Libya, September 20, 2023. Reuters
A man prays as the destruction caused by the fatal floods is visible in the background, in Derna, Libya, September 20, 2023. Reuters

Washington calls for ‘unified’ reconstruction efforts following Libya floods


Willy Lowry
  • English
  • Arabic

Washington has called for Libya’s factions to form a united front as the country tries to recover from last month’s devastating floods.

On September 11, heavy rainfall from Storm Daniel caused major flooding in Derna, a city in eastern Libya on the Mediterranean coast. Two dams burst creating a deluge of water that washed away roughly one third of the city’s buildings.

“The US focus is on trying to help the Libyans pull together a unified reconstruction effort to maximise its effectiveness,” said Richard Norland, US Special Envoy for Libya.

Government officials and aid agencies estimate the death toll from the disaster to be between 4,000 and 11,000.

Washington has contributed $12 million in humanitarian assistance to Libya, making it the largest donor to the relief efforts in Derna.

Reconstruction efforts have been complicated by Libya's deep divisions. Since 2011, when a Nato-backed uprising toppled longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi, rival factions have vied for power.

The UN-backed Government of National Unity controls the capital Tripoli and much of the west, while the Libyan National Army, led by Khalifa Haftar, which is allied with a parliament confirmed government, controls Derna as it governs the east and south.

Attempts to hold unified elections have so far failed. But Washington believes the tragedy in Derna has created an opportunity for the country to come together.

  • An upturned car inside a shop where it was carried by a torrent of floodwater in Derna, Libya. Reuters
    An upturned car inside a shop where it was carried by a torrent of floodwater in Derna, Libya. Reuters
  • A flood survivor takes a breather from removing mud from his home in the aftermath of deadly floods in Derna. Reuters
    A flood survivor takes a breather from removing mud from his home in the aftermath of deadly floods in Derna. Reuters
  • Mohammed Fathallah Al Hassi lost his mother and sister in Derna when dams collapsed, flooding the city, after heavy rainfall and a powerful storm hit eastern Libya. Reuters
    Mohammed Fathallah Al Hassi lost his mother and sister in Derna when dams collapsed, flooding the city, after heavy rainfall and a powerful storm hit eastern Libya. Reuters
  • A Spanish rescue worker in Derna where authorities have been struggling to cope with thousands of flood victims' bodies washing up or decaying under rubble. Reuters
    A Spanish rescue worker in Derna where authorities have been struggling to cope with thousands of flood victims' bodies washing up or decaying under rubble. Reuters
  • The destruction in the aftermath of the floods in Derna, Libya, as seen from the air. Reuters
    The destruction in the aftermath of the floods in Derna, Libya, as seen from the air. Reuters
  • A view of Derna in the aftermath of the floods. Reuters
    A view of Derna in the aftermath of the floods. Reuters
  • The aftermath of the floods in Derna. Libyan authorities said access to some areas had become impossible. Reuters
    The aftermath of the floods in Derna. Libyan authorities said access to some areas had become impossible. Reuters
  • Volunteers amid the ruins and damaged homes after the Mediterranean Storm Daniel hit Libya's eastern city of Derna. AFP
    Volunteers amid the ruins and damaged homes after the Mediterranean Storm Daniel hit Libya's eastern city of Derna. AFP
  • A rubble-strewn street in Libya's eastern city of Soussa. AFP
    A rubble-strewn street in Libya's eastern city of Soussa. AFP
  • People view areas damaged in the flooding in Derna, Libya. Reuters
    People view areas damaged in the flooding in Derna, Libya. Reuters
  • Locals view a list of the missing following the floods in Derna. Reuters
    Locals view a list of the missing following the floods in Derna. Reuters
  • A Palestinian woman in the Gaza Strip displays a picture of her relatives, who had been living in Libya, that were among the victims of the flooding. Reuters
    A Palestinian woman in the Gaza Strip displays a picture of her relatives, who had been living in Libya, that were among the victims of the flooding. Reuters
  • Libya's port city of Derna, days after floods swept away entire communities after two dams collapsed amid heavy rain. Reuters
    Libya's port city of Derna, days after floods swept away entire communities after two dams collapsed amid heavy rain. Reuters
  • The dams collapsed causing a huge flash flood that killed thousands of people. Reuters
    The dams collapsed causing a huge flash flood that killed thousands of people. Reuters
  • Thousands were still missing while more than 30,000 were displaced. Reuters
    Thousands were still missing while more than 30,000 were displaced. Reuters
  • Five Emirati planes arrived in Benghazi carrying three rescue teams, urgent relief and medical aid, as part of UAE efforts to provide relief to the Libyan people. Wam
    Five Emirati planes arrived in Benghazi carrying three rescue teams, urgent relief and medical aid, as part of UAE efforts to provide relief to the Libyan people. Wam
  • Sudanese workers who lost family members and friends during the disaster sit outside a tile factory in Derna. Reuters
    Sudanese workers who lost family members and friends during the disaster sit outside a tile factory in Derna. Reuters
  • A police vehicle washed away by floods lies on a street in Derna. AFP
    A police vehicle washed away by floods lies on a street in Derna. AFP
  • A militiaman directs vehicles on along a muddy road after deadly floods caused by Storm Daniel hit Derna, forcing two dams to collapse. AFP
    A militiaman directs vehicles on along a muddy road after deadly floods caused by Storm Daniel hit Derna, forcing two dams to collapse. AFP
  • Vehicles washed away by the floods are piled up on the outskirts of Derna. AFP
    Vehicles washed away by the floods are piled up on the outskirts of Derna. AFP
  • A school damaged by the floods in Derna. Reuters
    A school damaged by the floods in Derna. Reuters
  • A man carries his belongings, in the aftermath of floods in Derna. Reuters
    A man carries his belongings, in the aftermath of floods in Derna. Reuters
  • A worker puts bread in a box at a bakery, in the aftermath of the floods in Derna. Reuters
    A worker puts bread in a box at a bakery, in the aftermath of the floods in Derna. Reuters
  • The trail of destruction left by the floods that hit Derna. AFP
    The trail of destruction left by the floods that hit Derna. AFP

“I think we're entering a period of real political ferment and the events in Derna and eastern Libya have added new urgency to the need to unify the country's institutions,” Ambassador Norland told reporters.

Mr Norland cautioned that unified elections would not “happen overnight” but that all the necessary parties needed to be involved in the process.

“Now is the time for them to send representatives to take part in these discussions,” he said. “This really offers the best hope for Libyans not only to move forward on the reconstruction process, but also towards the political unity and the legitimisation of their institutions.”

'Lost in Space'

Creators: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Irwin Allen

Stars: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins

Rating: 4/5

Sour%20Grapes
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EZakaria%20Tamer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESyracuse%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E176%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
box

COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Letstango.com

Started: June 2013

Founder: Alex Tchablakian

Based: Dubai

Industry: e-commerce

Initial investment: Dh10 million

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 300,000 unique customers every month

Graduated from the American University of Sharjah

She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters

Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks

Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding

 

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Richard Jewell

Director: Clint Eastwood

Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley

Two-and-a-half out of five stars 

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20front-axle%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E218hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20touring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E402km%20(claimed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh215%2C000%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fasset%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2019%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mohammad%20Raafi%20Hossain%2C%20Daniel%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.45%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2086%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-series%20B%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Investcorp%2C%20Liberty%20City%20Ventures%2C%20Fatima%20Gobi%20Ventures%2C%20Primal%20Capital%2C%20Wealthwell%20Ventures%2C%20FHS%20Capital%2C%20VN2%20Capital%2C%20local%20family%20offices%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

RESULTS

2.15pm Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m

Winner Shawall, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Majed Al Jahouri (trainer)

2.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner Anna Bella Aa, Fabrice Veron, Abdelkhir Adam

3.15pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner AF Thayer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

3.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m

Winner Taajer, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

4.15pm The Ruler of Sharjah Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh250,000 (D) 1,700m

Winner Jawaal, Jim Crowley, Majed Al Jahouri

4.45pm Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m

Winner Maqaadeer, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

Company%20profile%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYodawy%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarim%20Khashaba%2C%20Sherief%20El-Feky%20and%20Yasser%20AbdelGawad%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2424.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlgebra%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20MEVP%20and%20Delivery%20Hero%20Ventures%2C%20among%20others%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20Iron%20Claw
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sean%20Durkin%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zac%20Efron%2C%20Jeremy%20Allen%20White%2C%20Harris%20Dickinson%2C%20Maura%20Tierney%2C%20Holt%20McCallany%2C%20Lily%20James%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
  • Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
  • Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
  • Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
  • Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
  • Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
  • Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
  • Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
  • Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.

Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz

Updated: October 06, 2023, 7:43 PM