Dunshaughlin woman who lost family members in Libya flood disaster appeals for help
An Irish born Libyan woman who has lost family members in the Tsunami sized flash flood that has devastated her country is appealing for support to help rescue efforts.
Fatema Teitali from Dunshaughlin says she is “heartbroken" at what has happened and admitted it is difficult to watch the scenes of destruction on the news which has claimed the lives of thousands of people so far with many more still missing.
Parts of eastern Libya were hit by devastating flooding after Storm Daniel pounded the country’s Mediterranean coast early Monday morning.
Heavy rains brought by Storm Daniel caused two dams to burst on the usually dry Wadi Derna riverbed running through the city leaving a trail of destruction with a global aid effort now underway.
Fatema says she was relieved when she knew her parents who live three hours from Derna were safe but sadly other family members lost their lives in the disaster.
“My husband’s cousin and all his children are dead and they have found the bodies,” she said. "My mum’s cousin also passed away along with her husband and her children except one who wasn’t in the area at the time.
"What usually happens is that the parents will build an apartment above their child when they get married so there are full families with grandparents and children and grandchildren all wiped out because the full building has collapsed.”
Fatima says she is frustrated at being limited to how much she can do but wants to raise as much money as possible to assist with the recovery and rescue operations that have been difficult as Libya’s already poor infrastructure has been ravaged by the floods.
“We are completely devastated and feel so powerless being in Ireland and unable to do much to help,” she said.
"My parents especially my mum are still in shock and worried what might happen next because there is going to be consequences after this flooding.
"The damaged roads are posing a significant challenge in delivering essential supplies like food, water, and clothing to those in desperate need. The situation is dire as so many have lost everything. In these circumstances, it becomes crucial to mobilise relief efforts quickly to provide the basic necessities for survival.”
Seeing the desolation of a place she holds so close to her heart has been painful according to the Dunshaughlin woman who said:
"My mum’s family is originally from Derna and as a child I would visit her grandparents house which is now completely destroyed.
"Derna is considered to be the cultural city of Libya. It is an absolutely beautiful place with beautiful people, what has happened is utterly tragic, I’m going to try and do everything I can to support them."
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