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Libya Floods
14 September 2023
Lead MP
David Rutley
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Climate
Other Contributors: 13
At a Glance
David Rutley raised concerns about libya floods in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister of State for Africa, David Rutley, expressed deep concern over the devastating floods in Libya caused by Storm Daniel. He conveyed sincere condolences from the UK Government to all those affected and highlighted that the death toll had risen significantly, with estimates ranging from at least 5,300 to potentially reaching 20,000. The Minister detailed the immediate challenges faced in providing assistance due to a lack of road access and communication disruptions. He announced an initial package worth up to £1 million for life-saving support through the UN central emergency response fund, which is supported by significant UK donations. Rutley emphasised that the UK remains committed to working closely with Libyan authorities and international partners to deliver aid efficiently.
Lyn Brown
Lab
West Ham
Question
The hon. Member asked about the number of people lacking essential needs such as shelter, clean water, and medical care in Libya post-flooding. She questioned the effectiveness of aid delivery through the UN central emergency response fund and emphasised the need for strategic action to support Libya's path towards stability and peace.
Minister reply
The Minister reiterated his commitment to ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most, highlighting ongoing efforts by UK officials in coordination with the UN. He stressed the importance of clear communication channels between warring factions within Libya to facilitate aid distribution effectively.
Bridgwater and West Somerset
Question
The hon. Member raised concerns about potential corruption in Libya and asked for assurances that the UK Government will take all necessary steps to ensure aid reaches its intended recipients.
Minister reply
The Minister responded by confirming the importance of monitoring the distribution of funds closely, emphasising the need for unity among conflicting groups during humanitarian crises.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Question
The hon. Member highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable nations like Libya and asked about future UK investments in international loss and damage funding.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the importance of long-term support for climate-vulnerable countries but stressed that immediate humanitarian aid is currently the top priority.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
The hon. Member inquired about measures to ensure transparency and accountability in UK-funded relief efforts, as well as future requirements for long-term rebuilding.
Minister reply
The Minister assured the House of his commitment to ensuring that funds go directly to those who need them most, both through UN channels and direct contributions from the British public.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Question
I join colleagues in offering my condolences to all those who have lost loved ones in the devastation in Libya. In my constituency and in many other parts of the country there are strong Libyan diaspora communities watching on in despair, unsure about the whereabouts of their loved ones. Will the Minister confirm what support is available to Libyan communities and others in the UK to gain information about friends and family in Libya?
Minister reply
Our embassy staff are working closely with people on the ground, keeping in touch with what is going on, and our consular support team is keeping in touch with dual nationals in Libya, providing the support they need. They will continue to do that.
Theo Clarke
Con
Unknown Constituency
Question
I fully support the fact that the UK Government have provided international assistance to the people of Libya, but what are we doing specifically to ensure humanitarian assistance is urgently getting to people on the ground today?
Minister reply
As I say, we have made our initial offer of support. We continue to have an active dialogue with the Libyan authorities and the UN. As I said to the Opposition spokesperson, the hon. Member for West Ham (Ms Brown), the key thing today is that we are waiting for the UN needs assessment, so we can then give our best assessment of what sort of support we need to help to provide.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Question
The tragic scenes we are witnessing in Libya are utterly horrifying; my thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. During the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, my noble Friend Lord Purvis asked why the Government’s humanitarian crisis reserve, which recently stood at £500 million, has now been depleted to only £30 million, which means that the UK’s response to any other emergencies or disasters will be greatly reduced. Has that significant reduction in a crisis reserve for humanitarian assistance affected our ability to help those in Libya?
Minister reply
I think hon. Members will agree that we responded fast to the situation in Morocco. It is very sad that this tragedy follows so quickly afterwards, and we want to respond to it quickly too. Part of the challenge has been understanding the situation on the ground.
Unknown Constituency
Question
What has happened in Libya is an absolute catastrophe and it is awful for all those people who have been killed or affected. As well as lives lost, infrastructure has been damaged as well as heritage and culture. That part of Libya is home to a wealth of heritage and history, including the UNESCO site of Cyrene. Satellite images show that roads to Cyrene have been badly damaged and washed away. What assessment have the Government made and what conversations have they had with UNESCO about those world heritage sites, and what are the Government doing to protect and restore the world heritage sites that have been damaged?
Minister reply
I know that my hon. Friend has a real interest in the history and heritage of north Africa. Clearly, any damage to a UNESCO world heritage site would be a cause of great concern. Right now, as Members on both sides of the House have said, our focus has to be on what we can do to help preserve life and also to protect British nationals.
Andrew Western
Lab
Stretford and Urmston
Question
This is a devastating tragedy, and it has unquestionably been exacerbated by Libya’s poor warning and evacuation systems, and by its substandard planning and design standards. I welcome the financial support that the Minister has outlined, but can he assure me that we will also look to provide whatever technical expertise is necessary to bring about improvements in these areas for the rebuilding of Libya both now and into the future?
Minister reply
The hon. Member makes a really important point about the medium term, and we will certainly examine what technical support we can provide. That will be important given the infrastructure issues.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Question
I appreciate what the Minister is saying: the humanitarian response to what have been described as apocalyptic scenes has to be the priority. I went to Kashmir in my first term as an MP, following the devastating earthquake there, and saw how the way that school buildings had been constructed lent itself to roofs collapsing on children and other horrific scenes. We talked about how the UK could lend its expertise in that area to make sure that, following the reconstruction effort, Kashmir would be more resilient to future shocks. Are we still involved in such programmes? Can we use that expertise to ensure that, when it comes to rebuilding Libya and other affected countries, they are far more resilient?
Minister reply
I recognise the hon. Member’s interest and expertise in this area from her previous visits and through her work in Parliament. She makes an important point, similar to that made by the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Andrew Western). We do need to look at what technical expertise we can provide.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
The scenes coming out of Libya are just horrific. My thoughts and prayers are added to those from across the House to all the families affected. The Minister, in response to my hon. Friend on the Front Bench, said that communications had been taken out and that that is hampering efforts to get humanitarian aid to where it is needed. What can the UK Government do to help get those communications back up and running?
Minister reply
That is a really important point. Hopefully, our expertise can help there. We need to see what the UN wants us to do in a co-ordinated way.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Minister for his deep and sincere interest and for his commitment, which is what all of us in this House wish to see. Our Government and our Ministers have never been found wanting when it comes to helping, and we appreciate that. He has outlined the devastation and loss of life from Storm Daniel. Like others, my thoughts and prayers are with those families who have lost loved ones. Charities such as Christian Aid, alongside church groups in my constituency of Strangford and across Northern Ireland, are already setting up a page. It is clear that there is a desire to help. How can the Minister and the Government work alongside the charities and the churches to get aid to the right place as soon as humanly possible?
Minister reply
The response from UK charities, including those that the hon. Member has mentioned, is always greatly valued, as is their expertise and capability to deliver.
Shadow Comment
Lyn Brown
Shadow Comment
The Labour MP Lyn Brown echoed the horror of the catastrophic floods in Libya, highlighting the immense scale of loss and suffering. She questioned the number of people lacking shelter, clean water, and medical care, expressing concerns about the effectiveness of the UN central emergency response fund to reach those in dire need. Brown also underscored the long-term implications of climate change on such disasters and called for strategic action on diplomacy, security, development, and building resilience against a changing climate.
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