As Pakistan’s flood woes multiply with every passing day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to the world to help Pakistan as he landed in the country Friday to see damage from the devastating floods that have killed hundreds and left more than half a million people homeless. The UN chief’s visit came less than two weeks after he appealed for $160 million in emergency funding to help those affected by the monsoon rains and floods that have caused at least $10 billion in damages and 1,391 deaths. “I have arrived in Pakistan to express my deep solidarity with the Pakistani people after the devastating floods here. I appeal for massive support from the international community as Pakistan responds to this climate catastrophe,” he said on Twitter before dawn.

Last week, the UN chief issued a stern warning about the effects of climate change. “Let’s stop sleepwalking toward the destruction of our planet by climate change,” he said in a video message to a ceremony in Islamabad at the time. “Today, it’s Pakistan. Tomorrow, it could be your country.” António Guterres landed in Islamabad to demonstrate solidarity with the people and the government of Pakistan tackling a massive natural disaster caused by unprecedented rains and floods throughout the country. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar received the United Nations secretary-general at the Islamabad International Airport.

During his two-day visit, Antonio Guterres will hold meetings with the Pakistani leadership and senior officials to exchange views on the national and international response to this climate-induced catastrophe. He will also travel to areas most impacted by the climate disaster. The UN chief will also interact with displaced families and oversee UN’s humanitarian response work in support of the government’s relief efforts for millions of affected people. According to the Foreign Office, the UN secretary-general’s visit will further raise global awareness about the massive scale of this calamity and the resulting loss of life and widespread devastation. It will contribute towards enhancing commensurate and coordinated international response to the humanitarian and other needs of the 33 million affected Pakistanis.

The secretary-general actively supported the US$160 million UN “Flash Appeal” to fund Pakistan’s Flood Response Plan and contributed a powerful video message at its launch event held simultaneously in Islamabad and Geneva on 30 August 2022. The UN chief has been consistently stressing the linkage of such disasters with the impacts of climate change and warning the international community about the existential threat to our planet in case climate change was not addressed in a timely and effective manner. The secretary-general’s visit will also spotlight the importance of sustained international support for Pakistan through the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase, and for building resilience against future climate shocks.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP