UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on the world on Friday to help Pakistan, which has been hit by unprecedented floods that have killed hundreds and displaced more than half a million people.
I came to Pakistan to express my deep solidarity with the Pakistani people after the devastating floods there. I call for massive support from the international community as Pakistan responds to this climate catastrophe.” said Portuguese on the social network Twitter.
Guterres arrived in Pakistan on Friday, being greeted upon arrival by Deputy Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. The UN leader will meet Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other government and military officials during the visit.
I have come to Pakistan to express my deep solidarity with the Pakistani people after the devastating floods here.
I call for massive support from the international community as Pakistan responds to this climate catastrophe.
— Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 8, 2022
The trip comes less than two weeks after Guterres requested 160 million dollars (158.75 million euros) in emergency funds.
Monsoon rains and flooding caused at least US$10 billion (€9.92 million) in damages. 1,391 deathsto have affected more than 3.3 million of people, one some of whom currently live in open-air tents.
Until now, the agencies The United Nations and several countries send dozens of planes full of aid. The United States pledged to provide assistance to flood victims worth 30 million dollars (29.78 million euros).
EITHER The first US plane will arrive in the country this Fridayaccording to Pakistani officials, who say Washington is setting up an airlift for humanitarian aid.
The floods in Pakistan also 12,722 people injured, destroyed thousands of kilometers of roads, brought down bridges and damaged schools and hospitalsaccording to the National Disaster Management Agency.
The floods too damaged some of the major Pakistani monumentsincluding Mohenjo Daro, considered one of the best-preserved ancient urban settlements in South Asia.
The ruins near the Indus River were discovered in 1922 and, to this day, the mystery surrounds the disappearance of a civilization that dates back 4,500 years, coinciding with those of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Last week, the leader of the United Nations issued a warning about the effects of climate change.
Let’s stop sleepwalking towards the destruction of our planet by climate change,” Guterres said, in a video message sent to a ceremony in Islamabad. “Today, it is Pakistan. Tomorrow it could be your country”he added.
Source: Observadora
