Hear heart-wrenching stories from survivors of the devastating flood in Derna, Libya, where entire neighborhoods vanished overnight. Mariam, a medical student, shares her harrowing experience and the emotional toll of losing loved ones. The podcast delves into the community's resilience, the struggle to rebuild lives amidst grief, and the importance of familial bonds. Listeners are inspired to embrace gratitude and appreciate life's small comforts as they navigate their healing journeys after such a tragic disaster.
Mariam Al-Ghiti's survival story highlights the profound grief and loss experienced by the community following the devastating flood in Derna.
Despite the trauma, Mariam demonstrates resilience by continuing her education and fostering a strong support system with her siblings in Benghazi.
Deep dives
The Catastrophic Impact of the Derna Floods
On September 11, 2023, a catastrophic flood in Derna, Libya, resulted from the breaking of two aging dams during Storm Daniel. Over 24 million tons of water flooded the city, leading to immense destruction and loss of life. Initial estimates indicated that over 4,500 people were confirmed dead, while the UN projected that around 8,000 were still missing, with local officials suggesting the death toll could be as high as 20,000. The flood’s devastation not only destroyed homes but also took the lives of families and friends, leaving the community in profound mourning.
Survival and Loss Amidst the Chaos
Mariam Al Gaiti, a medical student, shared her harrowing experience of surviving the flood with her siblings. During the flood, she and her family had to flee to the roof of their apartment as the water rose rapidly; they survived by jumping to an adjacent building just moments before their own collapsed. Tragically, many neighbors and relatives did not survive, and Mariam lost close family members, including her uncle and best friend. This traumatic experience left her and her siblings grappling with immense grief while relying on each other for support in the aftermath.
Rebuilding Lives and Finding Hope
After the disaster, Mariam and her siblings relocated to Benghazi, where they began the process of rebuilding their lives while navigating the challenges of loss and change. As a medical student, Mariam continued her education while working to support her family, highlighting their resilience despite the adversity they faced. They have formed a support system among themselves, coping with the emotional burden of their experience through shared conversations and memories of their past. Mariam emphasizes the importance of cherishing the present, as the flood transformed her perspective on life and made her appreciate the stability and safety she has now.
“My uncle passed away, his wife, his three sons, I lost my best friend, and a lot of people in Derna lost someone that they know.”
On the 11th of September 2023 two dams burst in the hills above the city of Derna in Libya. Millions of tonnes of water were released in a catastrophic flood which killed thousands of people in the city. Whole neighbourhoods were swept away. Eastern Libya had been affected by heavy rain from Storm Daniel the day before, but the dam walls should have held firm, and a subsequent legal investigation jailed officials for failing to maintain them.
One year on we speak to someone who was there about how she survived, the tragedy which still affects the whole city, and how she is rebuilding her life.
Presenter: Alan Kasujja
Guest: Mariam Al-Ghythy, a medical student from Derna
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