August 26, 2025
The devastation caused by Storm Daniel in 2023, particularly in Derna, exposed Libya’s fragile infrastructure and lack of disaster preparedness. Ahmed, a father of three, is a survivor whose life was upended by Storm Daniel, which claimed 4,000 lives and displaced up to 40,000. Before the floods, he owned a small grocery store in Derna that provided a stable income for his family. The disaster, however, swept away his shop along with much of the neighborhood.
In the blink of an eye, Ahmed lost not only his business but also his primary source of livelihood. In the months that followed, he struggled to make ends meet, picking up sporadic day labor jobs and relying on relatives for shelter, but the earnings were meager and unpredictable. By 2025, with the family still displaced and the cost of living soaring, Ahmed often found himself unable to afford basic food items for his children. He recalls the pain of having to halve meals and skip essentials like fresh meat and vegetables because every dinar had to be stretched for rebuilding their damaged home and paying rent for temporary accommodation.
In partnership with local organizations, Zakat Foundation of America distributed 1,000 food packages to needy families, providing a month’s worth of essential nutrition and a variety of staple foods to support their daily meals.
“Receiving this food aid has been a huge relief for my family,” Ahmed shared, his voice filled with gratitude. “After the flood, I had virtually no income, and whatever little I earned went to fixing our shelter. With these food boxes covering our meals, I could use my limited cash for other essentials, like buying medicines for my children and saving bit by bit to repair our home.” The packages meant Ahmed’s wife could cook proper dinners without rationing portions. His children went to school with full stomachs, which improved their concentration and well-being. This assistance helped Ahmad plan ahead rather than live day-to-day.
By covering a month’s worth of food, these packages allowed families to redirect a portion of their income to other essentials. Several households highlighted that they could pay overdue rent, purchase medicine, or keep their children in school thanks to the cost savings on groceries. Essentially, the food aid freed up resources in household budgets, providing a buffer against economic strain.
Your support can help families like Ahmed’s regain stability, restore dignity, and rebuild their futures.
