ISLAMABAD (Washington Insider Magazine)– After visiting Pakistan on Friday and witnessing the climatically caused destruction brought on by months of dangerous record floods that have forced half a million people to live in tents under the open sky, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to the international community for assistance.
His visit comes less than 2 weeks after Guterres issued an emergency financial request for $160 million to aid those impacted by the monsoon floods and rains which are estimated to have resulted in at least 1,391 fatalities and $10 billion in losses. International relief is on its way, with the first planeload of the $30 million in aid that the United States has promised.
The U.N. chief last week addressing the implications of climate change, issued a serious warning.
In a statement, Pakistan’s minister of information Maryam Aurangzeb expressed gratitude to the U.N. leader for visiting Pakistan while, according to her, one-third of the country is under water. She stated that she hoped the visit will contribute to the globalization of the flood victims’ situation.
Before speaking at a press conference on Friday in Islamabad with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, according to Aurangzeb, Guterres will be briefed by Pakistani authorities about the damage brought on by floods.
Authorities claim the United Arab Emirates is among the most generous donors, having sent 26 aircrafts carrying assistance for flood victims, according to ABC NEWS. U.N. Agencies and a number of nations have sent nearly 60 planeloads of aid, and the United States announced that it will deliver $30 million in support to assist flood victims.
Over 3.3 million people in Pakistan have been impacted by the floods. A number of historical monuments have also been harmed, notably Mohenjo Daro, one of South Asia’s best-preserved ancient urban centers.
The ancient civilisation, which existed 4,500 years ago and coincided with ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, was mysteriously wiped after its ruins along the Indus River were found in 1922.
The U.N. heritage organization on Thursday announced an emergency funding of $350,000 to assist in the recovery of cultural heritage sites devastated by floods. Mohenjo Daro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Deputy Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar welcomed Guterres upon his arrival. During his tour, he will also meet with Prime Minister Sharif and other top military and governmental officials.
In order to prevent additional disastrous flooding, the world has to intensify its battle against climate change, Sharif warned a visiting American ambassador before the arrival of the chief. Senior State Department administrator Derek Chollet was in Islamabad to evaluate the damage and make arrangements for help.
Chollet reportedly declared that the United States will support Pakistan in the aftermath of the floods and offer assistance to help people rehabilitate.
According to Pakistani officials, the first American plane load bearing relief will arrive in Pakistan on Friday. Washington is reportedly building up a humanitarian assistance air bridge to transfer much-needed supplies for flood victims.
Since June, flooding and severe rains have increased Pakistan’s financial burdens and brought attention to the disproportionate impact of climate change on the world’s impoverished population. According to experts, Pakistan is little to blame for 0.4% of the global historic emissions linked to climate change. The EU accounts for 15%, China for 16.5%, and the United States for 25%.
According to the National Disaster Management Agency, the floods in Pakistan have also resulted in 12,722 injuries, thousands of kilometers of wrecked roads, damaged hospitals and schools, and collapsed bridges.
