The response to the dam failures in Libya.

I am Preston Wilson, the president and CEO of Resilience Solutions Consulting (RSC) in Maryland. Our goal at RSC is to empower communities to better manage risks and hazards related to dams. Recent flooding caused by the collapse of two dams in Derna, following the Mediterranean Storm Daniel, has had devastating consequences. The death toll has surpassed 11,000, with 34,000 individuals displaced across Libya. This catastrophe has worsened the existing humanitarian needs in the country, where 800,000 people already required assistance.

In response to this crisis, Libyan leaders have appealed to the international community for support. RSC is coordinating efforts to raise funds for esteemed organizations such as the International Rescue Committee and the International Committee of the Red Cross. These funds will help provide immediate aid to survivors, address their medical needs, assist in locating missing individuals, and reunite families. Additionally, they will conduct search and rescue operations and distribute essential supplies including medicine, food, and non-food items to affected families.

I invite you to join me and our community of dam safety professionals and emergency managers in contributing to the response and recovery efforts of this devastating disaster. Together, we can make a difference and provide much-needed help to those in need.