UN Chief calls world to help Pakistan amid floods disaster
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ISLAMABAD: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that Pakistan needed “massive” financial support for relief, recovery, and rehabilitation in the wake of the catastrophic floods that displaced more than 33 million people and are estimated to have caused $30 billion of damage.
He made the remarks after attending a briefing at the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The UN chief is currently in Pakistan on a two-day trip to seek the world’s support for the catastrophic floods which have devastated the country and to highlight the urgency to deal with the climate change crisis.
Guterres called on the international community to help the flood victims, saying: “Pakistan needs massive financial support to respond to this crisis as according to initial estimates the losses are around $30 billion.” He stressed the need for debt support. It is not a matter of solidarity, but a matter of justice, he said.
Guterres also said that Pakistan’s contribution to climate change was minimal, yet it was one of countries most impacted by its consequences. UNSG’s comments came during a joint presser with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after two attended a briefing at National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC). Addressing people of Pakistan, Guterres expressed his appreciation for all those working tirelessly to support the victims of “unprecedented natural disaster”. He lauded “enormous effort” of nation and solidarity within borders of Pakistan, highlighting work of non-government organisations, incumbent government and armed forces. “Humanity has declared war on nature and nature is striking back. But nature is blind. It is not striking back on those who have contributed more to war on nature,” he said. According to UNSG, international community owed Pakistan “justice” and not “solidarity”.
Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 10 2022
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