Footage and eyewitness accounts have revealed horrific scenes from the storm-ravaged town of Derna in Libya. Morgues are overflowing, mass burials are taking place, and rescuers are desperately searching for bodies. The destruction caused by Storm Daniel includes the collapse of two dams, resulting in the erasure of entire neighborhoods and the displacement of thousands. The death toll currently stands at 11,300, with the potential to double in the coming days. However, this tragedy is not solely the result of a natural disaster; it is a reflection of Libya’s divided and ineffective governance.
Libya has faced numerous hardships since the revolution in 2011, but Storm Daniel is a uniquely catastrophic event. Commentators both inside and outside of Libya attribute the loss of life in Derna to the country’s fractured governance, with the west governed by the internationally recognized Government of National Unity and the east, including Derna, under the rule of Khalifa Haftar, a renegade strongman.
Derna’s suffering is indicative of the issues that plague many Libyans, such as crumbling infrastructure, economic neglect, and unpreparedness for climate change. However, understanding the full extent of the destruction requires recognizing Derna’s unique qualities. It has long been regarded as a city of intellectualism, dissent, and independence. Built on the ruins of the Greek city of Darnis, Derna is known for its cosmopolitanism, creative energy, and lush natural surroundings.
Throughout its history, Derna has attracted settlers from various backgrounds, including Muslim Andalusians fleeing persecution in Spain. The city became a hub of literary and nationalist activity in the early 20th century, with poets and playwrights gathering at the Omar Mukhtar Association to protest colonial rule. However, under Muammar Qaddafi’s rule, Derna was stripped of its vibrancy, and its youth faced unemployment and oppression. Many young men from Derna joined the Islamist insurgency against Qaddafi in the 1990s and later fought in Iraq against the American military occupation.
After Qaddafi’s fall, Derna became a battleground for competing Islamist factions, including a group aligned with the Islamic State. Haftar, a former general and defector from Qaddafi’s regime, launched a military campaign to eliminate jihadist militias and restore security. However, his true aim was to seize power nationwide, making Derna’s fighters his staunchest opponents. In 2018, Haftar succeeded in capturing Derna, using ruthless tactics and foreign assistance. The city suffered extensive damage, and thousands were displaced.
Since then, Haftar has ruled over Derna with an iron fist, neglecting its infrastructure and natural environment. The recent collapse of the two dams during Storm Daniel is a testament to this neglect. Haftar’s regime has hindered relief efforts and reconstruction, funneling contracts to his cronies and family members. Derna has become a symbol of Haftar’s repression, but his kleptocratic and authoritarian rule has also left other communities vulnerable to climate-related disasters.
Under Haftar’s control, the region’s Military Investment Authority, a profit-making entity for the Haftar family, has taken charge of agriculture, energy, and construction, leading to environmental devastation. Deforestation in the Green Mountains has accelerated, with trees being cut down for construction and sold as charcoal. Urban development has encroached on once-forested areas, displacing people and exacerbating the impact of floods. Rising temperatures further increase the risk of wildfires.
In a country where civil society and grassroots initiatives could play a crucial role in addressing ecological concerns, Haftar’s repressive regime stifles these efforts. Climate and environmental activists face significant obstacles and limited support from the state. Libya itself is highly vulnerable to climate change, ranking among the most water-stressed countries in the world. Despite these challenges, Libya’s political divisions and corruption have hindered its response to climate-related risks.
The devastating impact of Storm Daniel in Derna serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action. Cooperation between the eastern and western camps is essential, along with a unified and proactive approach to climate resilience. Without such measures, Libya’s vulnerability to climate change will only worsen, and its people will continue to suffer the consequences.
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