2023-10-10 11:47:52
10 October 2023, Tripoli, Libya – Storm Daniel left behind devastating devastation, leaving hundreds of thousands of people in eastern Libya grieving the loss of their loved ones, homes, possessions and livelihoods. In addition to these, there are still tens of thousands of others who are anxiously waiting for any news about the approximately 9,000 people who are still missing.
The World Health Organization estimates that following major emergencies, such as Storm Daniel, at least 1 in 5 people experience mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. For this reason, mental health services were one of the top three priorities – including safe water and primary health care services – identified by an inter-agency assessment team that visited eastern Libya in the early days of the disaster. Now that we are in the wake of the crisis, the need for mental health care has intensified.
Dr. Ahmed Zuwaiten, the organization’s representative in Libya, said that mental health services are indispensable. “Broken bones can be mended until they heal, but psychological wounds – the effects of which are often not visible – take much longer to heal. Therefore, we cooperate with the authorities to ensure “Those affected by the storm will receive basic mental health support in primary health care facilities and community centers, bearing in mind that some of those suffering from severe psychological crises will need specialized care from psychology and psychiatry specialists.”
The organization and health authorities in eastern Libya cooperate in providing a range of mental health services, starting with primary care from psychologists and ending with specialized care from psychiatrists. The organization has appealed to neighboring countries to provide assistance to alleviate the acute shortage of psychiatrists and psychological specialists in Libya. It also plans to train health workers, volunteers and emergency services workers in Libya on psychological first aid and the basics of psychosocial support.
The organization supports the establishment of mental health clinics with specialists whose role is not limited to meeting immediate needs, but also focuses on helping survivors with severe trauma overcome feelings of grief, anxiety, and the loss of loved ones and property. These specialists will also support primary health care staff and community workers, many of whom continued to work in the emergency response while grieving and feeling the loss of loved ones and possessions.
Dr. Ahmed Zouiten also emphasizes that “WHO and its partners have invested significantly in strengthening mental health care in Libya over the past decade, but these efforts must be significantly strengthened to have an immediate impact. We are committed to continuing cooperation with health authorities and national and international partners to ensure Providing mental health services and making them available to all those in need, emphasizing that mental health is not a luxury but a universal human right – for every person, everywhere.”
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