Islamabad 11th September : The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday the devastation caused by the flooding in Pakistan has “overwhelmed” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who concluded his two-day visit to flood-stricken regions of the country.In a tweet, Sharif thanked the UN Secretary General for his “unprecedented assistance” to flood victims in Pakistan.
“During his trip to areas affected by flooding and camps in intense heat the UN Secretary General was overwhelmed by the magnitude of destruction that has struck Pakistan,” the premier wrote on Twitter.
Guterres expressed his solidarity with the victims of floods and highlighted the need for global assistance to Pakistan in this moment of need, stating that the help of the international community is “a drop in the ocean” when compared to the resources required to rebuild.
Sharif said that Sharif said that the UN chief’s voice is now the voice of flood victims.
Inviting the international community to assist Pakistan in coping with the natural disaster and reduce carbon emissions the Prime Minister stated that the world must pay attention to the words of the UN chief had to say regarding climate change.
“His (Guterres) two-day trip was crucial in raising awareness of the tragedy of human life.I am deeply touched by his compassion and leadership.
Pakistan requires global support to overcome this issue,” he wrote.
Guterres during a visit to the flood-stricken areas on Saturday, stated that the destruction caused by flooding was beyond comprehension.
He visited areas affected by flooding in Sindh as well as Balochistan and Balochistan, urging the developed nations to help Pakistan since the international organization’s assistance can be “a tiny drop in the ocean” when compared to the resources required to rebuild.
Around 1,400 people have died in floods that cover one third of the nationan area that is comparable to the dimensions of the United Kingdom — wiping out crops and degrading homes businesses, roads, and bridges.
Guterres hopes that his visit will boost the support of Pakistan which requires at minimum $10 billion to fix the infrastructure that is damaged.
The UN Secretary-General in an interview with journalists in Sukkur spoke of the fact that there should be an open discussion regarding damages and losses because “what is being done by the UN does in Pakistan is just a small drop in the ocean of what is required”.
“We are fully aware of our limitations in capacity and resources.However, you can be certain of one thing: we stand in complete support with the Pakistani people.”
The UN chief said he will call on the world community to aid Pakistan “now” in addition to promising to raise awareness about the plight of Pakistan’s people.
Pakistan receives heavy — and often destructive, rains throughout its monsoon season.This is vital for water and agriculture.However, downpours as severe as this year’s haven’t been since the past few decades.
“It is not an issue of generousness, but rather a issue of justice,” he said, affirming the UN’s commitment and strong support with the flood-affected population of Pakistan.
Guterres declared that enormous damage and losses were caused by the floods that ravaged the lives of people and their properties.
He said that the international community must be aware of the devastating consequences of greenhouse emissions , as nature was retaliating in the form of natural disasters.
Greenhouse gases are accelerating climate change and the countries with more greenhouse emissions must understand the ramifications of this, he added.
He said that the UN will vigorously support “debt swaps”, with IMF and World Bank through which developing countries such as Pakistan instead of paying debt to foreign creditors, can make use of that funds to invest in climate resilience as well as investment in sustainable infrastructure, and the eco-friendly transition of their economies.
He stated: “We will go on actively advocating for solutions like these in the talks with IMF as well as the World Bank, which will be held in the near future.Also, in the G-20 meeting.”
Speaking to journalists, along with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as well as Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah in Karachi, Guterres said: “We have declared war against nature, and we are witnessing in Pakistan the nature retaliating with terrible consequences.”
The UN Secretary-General stated that he had witnessed numerous humanitarian disasters in the world, but “have never witnessed climate destruction at this magnitude”.
“I have no words to explain what I’ve observed the last few days,” he said.
He pointed out that the affected region is triple bigger than the entire area of his country, Portugal.
Guterres acknowledged that the needs are huge, and, as such, he demanded “massive and urgent financial assistance” to Pakistan.
“This is not merely an issue of generosity or solidarity it’s a matter of justice.Pakistan pays the cost of things that were created by other people,” he maintained.
The UN has already launched an appeal for $160 million in aid to aid Pakistan deal with the devastating floods.
In a tweet from earlier, Guterres said developing nations pay an “horrific cost” for the world’s dependence on fossil fuels.
“Pakistan and other developing nations pay a terrible cost due to the intransigence of big emitters who continue to invest in fossil fuels” he added.
“From Islamabad, I am making a global appeal to Stop the chaos.Put your money in renewable energy today.Stop the war with the natural world.”
int/khz/
.
