Women in Libya Struggle for Reproductive Healthcare Amidst Post-Storm Devastation

Health experts have raised concerns about the dire situation faced by women in Libya following the aftermath of Storm Daniel. The disaster, which claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people and left over 10,000 missing, has left women in the country virtually “invisible,” lacking access to vital reproductive healthcare and support.

In the weeks since the catastrophe struck, female survivors of the storm, particularly those affected by flooding, have been grappling with a lack of proper care. Despite aid efforts, women are struggling to obtain essential hygiene, sanitation, and menstrual products, further exacerbating their challenges.

Approximately 16,000 people find themselves displaced in and around Derna, where many survivors have been compelled to set up makeshift shelters in front of the remnants of their homes. The medical infrastructure in eastern Libya, already strained, has been severely damaged by the storm. Consequently, healthcare facilities are under immense pressure, making it particularly difficult to address the specific needs of women in this crisis.

Alex Gray, the head of international funds at the Centre for Disaster Philanthropy, emphasized the disproportionate impact of natural disasters on women, citing existing gender inequalities as a significant factor. “Pre-existing, structural gender inequalities mean that disasters affect women and girls differently than they affect boys and men,” Gray stated. He highlighted the increased vulnerability of females, especially those in lower socioeconomic groups, particularly in regions like the Global South.

Gray outlined the various stages at which women are vulnerable during such disasters, including preparedness, evacuation, response, mortality rates, health requirements, and recovery. He stressed the urgent need for sustained access to high-quality antenatal and postnatal care, as well as sexual and reproductive health services for women in Libya.

“After a disaster like the devastating floods in Libya, women typically experience reduced access to appropriate healthcare facilities and services due to damaged health infrastructure and heightened healthcare needs among survivors,” Gray explained. As the situation continues to unfold, the focus remains on addressing these critical issues and ensuring that women in Libya receive the essential support they urgently require.