The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has assisted thousands of people affected by the deadly floods in eastern Libya.

“Amid the crisis caused by Storm Daniel in East Libya, UNICEF Libya is responding with urgency, mobilising 1,100 hygiene kits and vital medical supplies for 10,000 people and providing essential clothing kits for 500 children,” UNICEF said.

The UN agency added, “UNICEF Libya expresses deep condolences to all people who lost family members in East Libya due to floods. We stand ready to support relief operations for the displaced, children and in hospitals. We are in touch with relevant authorities.”

Floods and landslides triggered by the Mediterranean storm on Sunday killed more than 2,000 people and damaged communities along its path.

According to Osama Hammad, the eastern-based prime minister of Libya, thousands of others went missing by the floods.

Local authorities have declared three days of mourning for the victims.

Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah, the Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, has instructed relevant authorities to remain on high alert and take measures to deal with the storm, vowing to “protect the people and ease the damage.”

The Ministry of Social Affairs and the Libyan Red Crescent Society have started to offer urgent assistance to those affected by the disaster.

The oil-rich country has been divided between rival administrations in the east and west for years, with armed groups and militias backing each administration.

(Xinhua/NAN)