Guterres reminds rich nations that UN assistance is "a drop in the ocean" while renewing his call for help for Pakistan.
 |
| United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres accompanied by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is visiting the flood-hit areas in Sindh. Photo: Twitter/ PTV News |
Today, Antonio Guterres flew over the flood-affected districts with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and others.
He used the word unimaginable to describe the scope of the country's flood damage.
Antonio Guterres reiterated his call to wealthy countries to assist Pakistan in recovering from devastating floods, saying that the international organization's assistance is "a drop in the ocean" in comparison to what is required to reconstruct.
 |
| United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres interacts with a flood victim. |
Flooding that has destroyed houses, businesses, roads, and bridges and covered a third of the country, an area larger than the United Kingdom, has claimed the lives of around 1,400 people.
Guterres is hoping that his visit will increase support for Pakistan, whose infrastructure needs at least $10 billion in repairs.
The UNSG stated that there has to be a serious discussion on loss and damages since "what the UN is doing in Pakistan is a drop in the ocean of what is needed" in a conversation with journalists in Sukkur.
You can be sure of one thing, though: We are in complete sympathy with the people of Pakistan. We are fully aware of our limited ability and resources.
The UN leader announced that he will urge the international community to assist Pakistan "immediately" and pledged to spread awareness of the dire circumstances.
.jpg "UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and PM Shahbaz Sharif visit a relief camp.") |
| UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and PM Shahbaz Sharif visit a relief camp. |
The yearly monsoon season in Pakistan brings with it torrential, often catastrophic rains that are essential for agriculture and water supplies.
However, there haven't been downpours this severe in years.
He reiterated the UN's commitment, strong support, and solidarity with the flood-affected population of Pakistan by saying, "It is not a matter of generosity, but a matter of justice."
According to Guterres, the floods caused significant harm to both human life and property.
He emphasised that because nature was responding with natural tragedies, the international community needed to understand the terrible effects of greenhouse emissions.
Climate change has been hastened by greenhouse gases, and the countries with higher carbon footprints need to be aware of these challenges, Guterres continued.
 |
| Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif holds a new-born baby in a relief camp. |
According to the losses, Pakistan anticipates reducing its projected GDP growth for the fiscal year 2022-2023 from 5% to 3%, according to planning minister Ahsan Iqbal.
To assist Pakistan in coping with the calamity, the UN has already launched a request for $160 million in relief.
In a previous tweet, the UNSG said that the world's reliance on fossil fuels was costing developing countries a "horrific price."
Pakistan and other developing nations are suffering horribly as a result of major emitters' continued reliance on fossil fuels, according to Guterres.
"I'm sending out a worldwide plea from Islamabad: Put an end to the craziness. Invest money right away in green energy. Nature can end the conflict."
Please Do Not Enter Any Spam Link In The Comment.