16 September 2023, Addis Ababa: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat renews his sincere condolences and solidarity with the State of Libya and its people, and the families who have lost loved ones in the aftermath of Storm Daniel that has claimed more than 11,300 lives. The Chairperson also wishes a full recovery to the injured.

The Chairperson continues to follow closely the emergency situation and the devastating impact of flooding, which has displaced at least 40,085 people with thousands more unaccounted for, and destroyed entire communities.

The Chairperson commends the State of Libya, humanitarian actors and volunteers for their tireless response efforts.
As part of AU support to national response efforts in Libya, the AUC Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), through the Africa Multi-hazard Early Warning and Action System (AMHEWAS) Situation Room for Disaster Risk Reduction, jointly with the AUC Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS,) have activated an incident management mechanism, which includes regular meetings with the Permanent Mission of the State of Libya accredited to the AU in Addis Ababa.

In this regard, the Chairperson will also deploy a multi-sectoral team of experts from the Departments of Agriculture, Rural Development, Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to further support the State of Libya in its ongoing response efforts.

The Chairperson reiterates his appeal to Member States and international partners to urgently step up support in solidarity with the State and people of Libya in order to adress growing humanitarian needs following the devastation of Storm Daniel.