Derna, Libya - Flood Relief Fundraiser

On Sunday 10th September, tragedy hit eastern Libya, when heavy rain from Storm Daniel swept across the country and the city of Derna was decimated when two dams collapsed at 5am local time. A huge 7.5-meter-high wave suddenly thundered down the valley, smashing everything in its path. In an instant, it wiped out a quarter of the town. Houses with families still inside were swept into the ocean, entire streets just washed from the landscape.

Our family has been caught up in the midst of this tragedy and my husband Muftah is there right now, mercifully still alive, although so many others were tragically and devastatingly lost. May God rest their souls.

Muftah, whose home is Derna, was there visiting family when the storm hit. He is on the ground and seeing first hand what is happening. His messages to me express the amazing resilience of the Libyan people, their generosity to each other and their ability to pull together and just get on with it.

International aid is arriving in the town but he feels that a long term support system would be better for the people once that immediate aid effort has gone. He is working with a local charity, who are known by the local people and feels that your donations would help the long term needs of the people especially women and children.

We promise to keep you updated, your money will make a difference to the people of Derna.

We know that things are not easy here at present in the UK and we don’t want to add to your pressures so please do not feel obliged to donate. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, as we remain here to support for the long term.

Thank you for being a part of this, your generosity and support means everything.

Here is a BBC article outlining some of what happened if you want to read more about this tragedy: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-66803111

Who is raising the money:

Karen Benomran - Muftah's wife

Muftah's four children Elizabeth, Leila, Zara and Zain.

We are all based in the United Kingdom (some in the North East and some in the South of England)

Where will the money go and what will the money be used for:

Muftah would like the money to be used for specific projects that will be identified once the immediate aid has left. His current thinking is to specifically help women and children. We would also hope to create a facility to help those who have suffered mentally with this trauma and provide the specialist help they may need. Obviously, this is all subject to change and we will keep you updated once we know what we will be using the money for. The situation is very fluid and the needs of the people will change.