As U.S. calls for unified east-west Libyan effort, eastern Libyan government postpones Derna reconstruction conference to November

The Supreme Preparatory Committee for the ”International Conference for the Reconstruction of the City of Derna and the Affected Cities and Regions” announced today the postponement of the conference from 10 October to 1-2 November. The announcement said this postponement was in order ‘‘to provide the opportunity for international and local companies to present their studies and projects for reconstruction’’.

U.S. calls for joint and inclusive coordination between east and western Libya
The announcement of the postponement of the conference by the eastern-based and internationally unrecognized government follows on from a statement yesterday by U.S. Special Envoy to Libya, Richard Norland, urging Libyan authorities to form unified structures rather than launch separate international reconstruction efforts.

Norland affirmed that the U.S. would continue to work with Libyan officials throughout the country and with the UN to support the programme of reconstruction, in which the Libyan people will have confidence.

He said that a proposal to hold a reconstruction conference in Benghazi would be much more effective if it were conducted jointly and inclusively in coordination with the institutions that manage resources and funding, taking into consideration the best interests of the Libyan people.

Norland stressed that this coordination is essential to ensure flood victims receive the support they need.

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“As focus on reconstruction increases, Libyans need to be assured that public funds are used transparently and accountably and that assistance goes to those in need, and those affected by the flood are struggling to rebuild their lives even as they cope with unimaginable personal loss,” he said.

“The International Community is preparing to assist this effort with financial and technical expertise, and the Libyans must establish the structures that bring authorities from across the country together to agree on priority expenditures and ensure funds are efficiently and properly allocated,” Norland added.

Flood Daniel: International rescue teams begin to phase out, humanitarian response scaling up says OCHA report (libyaherald.com)

Spanish epidemiologists and water specialists arrive in east Libya to help with post-Storm Daniel recovery (libyaherald.com)

Russian rescuers end mission in Libya: Russian Foreign Ministry (libyaherald.com)

Switzerland offers extra CHF 1 million for Libyan flood effort (libyaherald.com)

Sweden providing initial US$ 1.35 million to Libya’s Storm Daniel humanitarian efforts (libyaherald.com)

Italian Cabinet gives green light for a state of emergency to intervene in Libya, allocates € 5 million (libyaherald.com)

Jordan sends third humanitarian relief plane to aid in Libya Storm Daniel disaster (libyaherald.com)

Qatar delivers 267 tons of humanitarian aid to Libya’s Storm Daniel hit areas in eight flights (libyaherald.com)

UAE’s Libya humanitarian air bridge delivers 622 tons in 28 flights benefiting 6,386 families stricken by Storm Daniel (libyaherald.com)

Public Prosecutor orders pretrial detention of 16 officials complicit in Derna dams disaster (libyaherald.com)

UNSMIL head Bathily calls on polarised Libyan political entities to follow their citizen’s lead by unifying post the Derna disaster (libyaherald.com)

Eastern Libyan government calls for international reconstruction conference for Flood Daniel hit areas (libyaherald.com)