Hello - I've launched this appeal to help Libyans who've survived the devastating floods in the East of their country. Can we even imagine what conditions are like in towns like Derna where many people have, literally, lost everything - and for many this includes family.

The story so far: on the night of 10th September a powerful storm ripped across eastern Libya, triggering torrential floods that also burst two major dams. As of Friday, 15 September, at least 11, 300 people have died, and thousands more women, men and children are missing.

Quick update as of 19th September - Al Jazeera reports the UN has warned an outbreak of water borne disease could create 'A second devastating crisis' as adults and children fall ill from contaminated water in Derna and other towns and villages.

As we know, the town of Derna is the most severely affected. The mayor, Akram Adbul Aziz, fears the total death toll will be more than 20,000 people.

It's hard to comprend the devastation Libyans feel at this catastrophe: we can help by raising funds for organisations on the ground, like Islamic Relief who are already assisting people in eastern Libya. Friends of mine have worked with Islamic Relief and know how good their work is.

Salah Aboulgasem from Islamic Relief describes what's happened:

Alongside Derna, the eastern cities of Benghazi, Sousse and Al-Marj are also been overwhelmingly affected. Roads and bridges are destroyed.

Islamic Relief is partnering with local Libyan organisations to deliver aid directly to stranded communities - and has deployed a Disaster Team to Libya to assess how to best help people in the short and medium term.

Please give to this appeal, to purchase blankets, food, shelter and aid that will support Libyans reeling from this catastrophic disaster. Every penny we raise will go directly to Islamic Relief's Libyan Floods Appeal.