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The Tripoli based Libyan Ministry of Economy and Trade organised a workshop Thursday on developing the marine wealth sector (fisheries) and its role in achieving economic diversification.

Led by the Ministrys Undersecretary for Commercial Affairs, Suhail Abu Shiha, several relevant department heads, and representatives from the Marine Biology Research Centre, and the African Development Bank, participated.

The workshop participants followed a visual presentation on the methodology used to prepare the sectoral development policy, the networking mechanism with relevant sectors, and the projects targeted for the development of the marine wealth sector, which are based on:

Economic diversification plan During the workshop, the Undersecretary revealed that his Ministry of Economy and Trade is working on an economic diversification plan based on developing sectoral policies in coordination with relevant ministries and bodies, stressing the need to begin executive steps to develop a marine fishing port so that it becomes a model to be implemented.

Strengthening of the role of the private sector It was also revealed that the Minister of Economy and Trade directed the strengthening of the role of the private sector in implementing investment projects in the marine wealth sector through the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture and the Libyan Business Council (LBC).

Call on African Development Bank to contribute to financing targeted investment projects The ministry also called on the African Development Bank to contribute to financing targeted investment projects in the sector through the both the local and foreign private sector, under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy and Trade.

Expanded meeting for further action The workshop activities concluded with the start of preparations for an expanded meeting that includes the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Marine Resources, the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, the LBC and the African Development Bank to study the fisheries development project and develop an executive programme.

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Economy Ministry workshop on developing fisheries sector and its ... - Libya Herald

The dam project broke ground in 2010, according to the government assessment from 2011 reviewed by The New York Times. By Feb. 1, 2011, just before the uprising, the project had managed only general preparations and earthworks, the assessment said. No concrete or asphalt had been poured, it said, no pipes laid.

But Libya had already paid about $6 million, the document shows.

Libyan prosecutors said Monday that the water authority officials had sent Arsel further payments years later, after the work had been halted as a result of the uprising, despite proof that the company had failed to fulfill its contractual obligations. It did not say how much additional money had been paid, or when the funds had been transferred. Arsel was due to receive an additional $655,847 at the time that work stopped, according to the 2011 assessment.

Arsels owner, Orhan Ozer, declined to comment for this article.

At the time, virtually all public infrastructure was handled by Colonel el-Qaddafis central infrastructure agency, the Organization for Development of Administrative Centers, whether or not its name was on the contract. Its head was Ali Dbeiba, whom Libyan prosecutors later accused of routinely awarding contracts to companies he ultimately controlled or that paid him kickbacks, many of them Turkish. Prosecutors said he pocketed as much as $7 billion along the way.

Arsel had several other projects with ODAC, according to an archived version of Arsels website, which was taken down after the floods. Arsel was never publicly named in connection with the investigation, which did not identify the specific companies involved.

Mr. Dbeiba stashed the spoils in dozens of bank accounts and luxury properties around the world, according to an investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, an independent media network. Among the properties were multimillion-dollar homes in Scotland that Libya has asked the Scottish police to investigate.

Original post:
Libya Flooding Disaster Underlines the Countrys Corruption - The New York Times

UNICEF stated that many more children are affected due to lack of essential services, such as health, schooling and safe water supply.

When disasters hit, children are always among the most vulnerable, said Adele Khodr, UNICEFs Regional Director, who has just returned from a visit to Al Bayda and Derna.

Storm Daniel struck eastern Libya on 10 September and left widespread flooding and destruction in its wake across Derna, Albayda, Soussa, Al-Marj, Shahat, Taknis, Battah, Tolmeita, Bersis, Tokra and Al-Abyar.

Torrential rainfall and the collapse of two dams flooded the coastal city, sweeping entire neighborhoods into the Mediterranean Sea.

Close to 4,000 died in the floods and 9,000 more are still unaccounted for, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

While the missing are presumed dead, their bodies still trapped under debris or in the sea, many still hope their loved ones could still be alive. The deadly flooding has forced schools to host some displaced families.

UNICEF has been working with authorities and partners since the beginning of the tragedy to respond to the urgent needs of children and families in the affected areas.

I saw the devastating toll the floods have already taken on children and families. I met families grappling with a high psychological burden and I spoke to children in extreme distress, many not sleeping and unable to interact and play, Ms. Khodr said.

The memory of what happened still haunts their dreams and their thoughts. Now is the time to focus on recovery, including support the reopening of schools, provide psychosocial support, rehabilitate primary health care facilities and restore water systems. The tragedy is not over, and we should not forget the children of Derna and Al Bayda,

The number of children among the casualties is not yet confirmed but UNICEF fears hundreds died in the disaster, given that children account for about 40 per cent of the population.

Significant damage to health and education infrastructure means children once again risk further disruption to their learning and the outbreak of deadly diseases. In the impacted region, out of 117 schools, four were destroyed and 80 partially damaged.

Waterborne illnesses are a growing concern due to water supply issues, significant damage to water sources and sewer networks.

In Derna alone,50 per cent of water systems are estimated to have been damaged.

UNICEF has been actively supporting the children in eastern Libya since day two of the crisis. Sixty-five metric tonnes of relief supplies have been delivered to affected areas, including medical supplies for 50,000 people for three months, family hygiene kits for almost 17,000 people, 500 childrens winter clothing sets, 200 school-in-a-box kits and 32,000 water purification tablets.

The childrens agency has also dispatched mobile child protection and psychosocial support teams.

As we continue our life-saving response efforts, we also appeal to the authorities and donors to invest in long-term recovery that is equitable, resilient and child-focused, added Ms. Khodr.

Originally posted here:
Libya floods: 'Tragedy is not over' warns UNICEF - UN News

Devastating floods in Libya have exposed previously hidden archaeological structures in an ancient Greek city near Derna, prompting calls for preservation and restoration efforts.

The recent catastrophic floods that wreaked havoc across Libya have unexpectedly unveiled previously unknown structures at an ancient Greek city near Derna, posing a unique challenge for archaeologists and local authorities.

Libyan authorities, who arrived to assess the damage and salvage any historical remnants in the ancient city of Cyrene, stumbled upon structures that had lain hidden for centuries beneath layers of earth and debris.

Dr. Ahmed Issa from the Department of Archeology at Omar Al-Mukhtar University said that a national committee consisting of experts should be formed to classify the new archaeological monuments and develop a plan to restore the area.

Cyrene, founded in 631 BC by Greek settlers, stands as a testament to the rich history of the region.

Flourishing during the fourth century BC, Cyrene became a hub of agricultural and commercial activity, and several Greek baths, the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Apollo are among its notable landmarks.

The catastrophic floods that swept through Libya have had dire consequences, leading to the loss of thousands of lives, the destruction of residential buildings, and the obliteration of critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges, particularly in the city of Derna.

The toll continues to rise, with more than 11,000 reported fatalities and over 10,000 people still missing more than a week after the calamity, according to both the Libyan Red Crescent and the United Nations.

Check out the video above for a closer look at the newly discovered structures inCyrene, Libya.

Video editor Theo Farrant

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Libya floods reveal forgotten structures in ancient Greek city - Euronews

What does life look like in northeast Libya after catastrophic flooding killed thousands of people?

Find out for yourself with this weekly view from a photographer on the ground in Derna, a city that lost entire families and neighbourhoods when two dams burst after a storm tore through the northeast mid-September.

While official estimates of the dead sit at more than 4,200, other numbers are much higher, and thousands remain missing.

Check back to see weekly photos, and to listen to photographer Mohamed Nabil explain why they matter to him, as long after other cameras have moved on The New Humanitarian looks to keep the spotlight on northeast Libya.

Photographer Mohamed Nabil explores the aftermath of the floods in his home city of Derna, capturing rescue workers, ambulances, protests, and messages of unity that have emerged in the wake of the disaster.

Edited by Ciara Lee and Annie Slemrod.

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A Libyan photographer captures life after the floods - The New Humanitarian