Anti-Corruption Committee
A significant contributor to the collapse of the Derna Dam was the involvement of bribes and corruption, mainly through the contract given to the Turkish company, Arsel, who had ties to the previous leader of Libya, Muammar el-Qaddafi. To reduce future instances of bribery and corruption, an anti-corruption committee should be created, with members selected through local elections. The anti-corruption committee’s main goal will be to oversee the approval process for governmental contracts. The first task will require an in-depth analysis of current government contracts and positions to determine where bribery and corruption is already present within the administration. There should be an open channel of communication between the committee and various relevant government departments. A compromise between the two dominant political parties can allow for the renewal of the Government of National Accord (GNA). In alliance with the GNA, the anti-corruption committee will act in an advisory capacity on current and emerging corruption risks, methods for addressing bribery, and proactively reviewing and if needed, revising, current laws around bribery and corruption. During election seasons, the anti-corruption committee will be responsible for co-signing off on the election results. Anti-corruption committee members are not life-long serving members and must also be elected every few years.
“The formation of the Government of National Accord comes at a time when the country is experiencing exceptional circumstances. ”
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Investing in green infrastructure
Part of the reason why this storm was extra bad was due to climate change. Climate change will make the area drier but lead to rainfall events with more rain in shorter periods of time leading to increased flooding. One way to help make sure a disaster like this does not happen again is to invest in green infrastructure and build up resilience. One way to help curb flooding in the future can be rebuilding houses with rainwater harvesting systems on the rooftops. This will help prevent rainwater from running off into the river while also giving the residents water for their homes. The can also build roads with permable pavement making water more likely to seep into the ground and not runoff. One last major way to mitigate flooding in the future is to maximize green spaces, more specifically the Jebel Akhdar Forestland. This is an upstream area where if preserved can help greatly mitigate the amount of water reaching the river in times of heavy rainfall.
Soak Up the Rain: Permeable Pavement | US EPALearn how permeable pavements work to help soak up the rain and reduce runoff. Find information on how to select, install and maintain permeable pavement surfaces.
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Compromise Between The Western and Eastern Government
The reconstruction of Derna may quickly become the next site of conflict between the Eastern and Western governments of Libya, as both want control of the city. This division is also hampering aid efforts, as the Tripoli-based government is internationally recognized but all aid to Derna must be approved by the rival Eastern authorities. To avoid further violence and tragedy in Derna and effectively and equitably rebuild the city and care for survivors, the rival administrations must compromise to create what the United Nations Special Envoy for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, has called a “unified national mechanism” for reconstruction efforts in flood-affected areas. Since it is unlikely that Libya will be unified anytime soon, a plan that is jointly created between the rival administrations and both administrations pledge to follow will ensure that reconstruction efforts are not hampered by party interests. Bathily has suggested that the administrations also involve their international partners in the mechanism-creation to ensure “transparency and accountability.”
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