Temporary Bridge to Link Flood-Stricken Eastern and Western Derna
(AWP) - Officials from a committee entrusted with the reconstruction of Derna, which was struck by devastating flooding that claimed the lives of at least 4,000 people so far, announced the opening of a temporary bridge to link the eastern side of the city to its west in a bid to facilitate the movement of aid and relief efforts.
Major General Jamal al-Amamy, Head of the Rescue Department of the Benghazi Security Directorate and responsible for the bridge, said there were plans to build a permanent bridge between the two sides of the city through foreign companies that have been contracted.
He said, “We focused on the bridge because it links the eastern and western sides to facilitate access to humanitarian aid. We delivered the aid through this temporary crossing in Derna pending the construction of an official bridge soon, God willing, and contracts have been signed with foreign companies.”
“This work was completed by Libyan hands. The instructions from the General Commander [of the Libyan National Army, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar] were to remove all obstacles facing citizens to make their movement easier.”
Wisam Sadiq al-Mismari, a member of the Reconstruction and Stability Commission, entrusted with working in Derna, said, “measures were taken to channel the valley water in case of torrential rain in the areas where the Derna Valley flows.”