Traumatized students prepare to return to school in Libya’s Derna after floods

TRIPOLI, Libya

Libyan students prepare to return to school in the eastern city of Derna after last month’s deadly floods that killed thousands in the North African country.

“Students in schools have not yet resumed studies after the floods as many schools are not prepared yet,” Education Ministry spokesman Abdulaziz Issa told Anadolu.

Eastern Libya was ravaged by deadly floods caused by Mediterranean storm Daniel on Sept. 10, killing more than 4,300 people and leaving behind a massive trail of destruction, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Derna was hardest hit by the floods, causing the city's dams to burst, washing away homes and people.

According to the Tripoli-based government, around 95% of educational institutions in eastern Libya were damaged by the floods.

The government estimates that the floods damaged around 114 schools in 15 Libyan localities in eastern Libya.

Issa said schools in Derna and other areas affected by the floods will resume study this week.

Libya already resumed study across the country on Sept. 24, except for areas that were struck by the floods.

Traumatized

Ahmed al-Shafi, a father of three students, said many schools were damaged by the floods. “It was mandatory to postpone the school year,” he told Anadolu. “Schools were damaged and roads leading to schools are dangerous due to drifts."

The father said students were traumatized by the deadly floods that ravaged the city.

“Derna students are in dire need of psychological rehabilitation after going through a real catastrophe,” he said.

Al-Shafi, however, stressed that “Study must not be suspended in the areas struck by the floods.”

“The authorities have to find a way to prevent losing the entire academic year,” he said.

Back to school

Faisal al-Darnawi, a university student, said there are two universities in Derna. “The two universities were not affected by the floods,” he told Anadolu.

According to him, study must not be suspended under any circumstances. “It’s true that we have lost some colleagues and hundreds of others are still missing, but there is no reason to stop studying,” he said.

“It’s true that the roads leading to universities were damaged by the floods, but there are still other solutions such as providing public transportation for students."

“It is imperative for students to be able to go back to their schools,” Darnawi said. An entire academic year should not be wasted.”

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi