Italian emergency crews say the scale of devastation in the Libyan port-city of Derna is unparalleled as international relief efforts continue after deadly floods almost two weeks ago. Storm Daniel devastated Libya's eastern coast over the course of four days, causing ageing dams to burst their banks and flood waters to wash away entire neighborhoods.

Italian personnel were among the first to arrive and Luigi D'Angelo from the Italian department of civil protection says it was one of the most difficult situations they have faced.

"We were initially equipped for search and rescue in water conditions but the scenario that we had in front of us was one of an earthquake," he said.

Italy has so far sent military jets and a naval vessel with rescue crews and equipment. The World Health Organization says at least 4,000 people have died – a figure that is expected to rise.

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Relief efforts are complicated by the country's political tensions, as it's been divided and ruled by separate governments in the east and west for over a decade.

"Initially the situation was very tough, and it was also a difficult context because of the past war and because of the army controlling the territory," explains D'Angelo.

In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke to both the leader of Libya's National Unity government and his political rival, vowing Rome's full support for the divided nation. Francesca Corrao is a professor of Mediterranean history at Rome's Luiss University and says Italy has always played an important role in Libya's relations with Europe: "We have ancient connections with Libya but of course more recently there are serious political and economic interests because we take a good deal of our oil from Libya."

In January, Prime Minister Meloni traveled to Tripoli to sign a major gas deal.

In May, Meloni met with the Libyan National Army chief in Rome to discuss migration, as the country is a key transport hub for those seeking to enter Europe.

"We have serious issues concerning the immigrants, because Libya is taking money from European countries, especially from Italy in order to keep irregular immigrants in their country," continues Corrao.

But despite political upheaval and uncertainty, the people of Libya stand united in their bid to recover.

"What I found there was really gratitude from the Libyan people because they are living this tragedy with a lot of dignity," reflects D'Angelo.

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