United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is in Pakistan to support his response to the devastating floods and is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and visit the flooded areas during his two-day trip.
Seasonal rains and melting glaciers in the northern mountains, blamed by the government on climate change, caused floods that washed away homes, roads, railroads, bridges, livestock and crops, killing more than 1,391 people.
According to the government, large areas of the country were flooded, forcing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes and disrupting the lives of nearly 33 million people.
“I came to Pakistan to show solidarity with the Pakistani people after the devastating floods,” Guterres said.
The United Nations launched an appeal for $160 million in aid, although Pakistan estimated flood damage was around $10 billion.
“I am asking the international community for tremendous support as Pakistan fights this climate disaster,” Guterres said.
In addition to meeting with Sharif and the foreign minister, Guterres will also tour the affected areas during his visit.
“The Secretary General’s visit will raise global awareness of the enormity of this catastrophe and the resulting loss of life and widespread destruction,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The World Health Organization has announced that more than 6.4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in the flooded areas.
Source: El Nashra