How to donate after flooding in Libya kills thousands in Derna

Thousands have died in Libya's coastal city of Derna as search efforts continue following a massive flood fed by the breaching of two dams in heavy rains.

Libyan Red Crescent secretary-general Marie el-Drese said more than 10,000 people have been reported missing in the Mediterranean city.

In Libya many worry the fact that the country has two governments supported by different countries may slow rescue and recovery efforts.

US-based Charity Navigator chief executive Michael Thatcher said getting aid into Libya might be challenging due to ongoing sanctions countries have placed on the country.

Generally, those sanctions are waived following a natural disaster, as they were for Syria earlier this year following a deadly earthquake there.

He said larger international non-profit organisations would have an easier time navigating sanctions than smaller non-profits with no previous interaction with the Libyan governments.

"Getting $100 into Libya is hard," he said.

"Getting $100 to … one of those large, well-established charities to use in Libya is much easier because they already have third parties that are working with them there."

?Which charities are assisting Libya

Emergency Action Alliance

ABC Give is supporting the Emergency Action Alliance member charities and their local partners based in Libya.

Emergency Action Alliance is made up of 15 Australian-based member charities which use their reach and resources to save lives around the world.

Donations will help provide food, water, financial support, emergency shelter and aid to people in crisis.

For more information visit the Emergency Action Alliance website.

UNICEF

UNICEF is working alongside its partners to deliver critical emergency supplies to children and their families affected by the unfolding crisis.

For more information, visit the UNICEF Australia website.

UN Refugees

The United Nations Refugee Agency Australia for UNHCR is accepting donations to send life-saving supplied to Libya. A donation can help provide shelter, health care and psychological support to families.

For more information, visit the UN Refugees website.

Islamic Relief Australia

Islamic Relief Australia has now partnered with local humanitarian organisations to deliver aid to the affected communities.

For more information, visit the Islamic Relief Australia website.

Global Giving

Global Giving is a non-profit that supports other non-profits by connecting them to donors and companies.

It has set up a relief fund which will help meet survivors' immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, medicine, and shelter in Libya.

Its website states the fund will then transition to focus on recovery efforts led by local, vetted organisations to restore damaged homes and rebuild infrastructure.

For more information visit the Global Giving website.

Human Appeal Australia  

Human Appeal Australia uses donations to ensure that essential services and relief are provided to thousands of underprivileged or crisis-affected communities, and it works with a number of in-country partners worldwide.

Donations will help provide food, water, and medical aid and help facilitate search and rescue operations to locate missing persons.

For more information visit the Human Appeal Australia website.