Torrential monsoon rains have triggered the most severe flooding in Pakistan’s recent history, washing away villages and leaving around 3.4 million children in need of assistance and at increased risk of waterborne diseases, drowning and malnutrition.
Hundreds of thousands of homes have been destroyed, while many public health facilities, water systems and schools have been destroyed or damaged. By 9 September, more than 664,000 people were sheltering in displacement camps, with many lacking adequate shelter and access to adequate food, clean water and sanitation.
The recent flooding in Pakistan has done a great damage to the country. The livestock, crops and infrastructure have been badly affected. It is the time that the international community comes forward to help Pakistan as it struggles to cope with the aftermath of torrential rains that triggered massive floods. The UN Secretary General recently visited Pakistan and has appealed for massive global support for Pakistan. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the international community to support flood-hit Pakistan as the country needed massive financial help to overcome post-flood crises.
The UN chief said during his visit to flood hit areas of Sindh and Balochistan, it is not a matter of generosity, but a matter of justice,” he said reiterating the UN’s commitment, strong support and solidarity with the flood-affected populace of Pakistan. Guterres said that huge damages and losses were caused to human lives and properties. The UN absolutely supported the Pakistani nation and requested the well-resourced nations to support the country massively, so that it could face the future challenges of climatic changes and save its nation. The UNSG stressed that the international community must realize the serious impacts of greenhouse emissions as nature was striking back in the form of natural calamities. We must be hopeful that the world will come forward to support Pakistan and help it out of this difficult time.
The UN Secretary General has rightly pointed out that despite very little contribution in global emissions Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Pakistan also suffered devastating floods in the past that resulted in huge human and material damages. However, international community does not seem concerned that Pakistan and other developing countries are suffering due to their industrial emissions. It is obligation of world community to compensate Pakistan in this disaster. The visit of the UN Secretary General to Pakistan will pave way in awakening the consciousness of world community. It will also help convey the message across the world as UN is the most important supra national body. So far, there is very less aid that has been received by Western countries. Rather, the brotherly Muslim countries like Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and UAE have provided many plane-loads of relief supplies for flood victims of Pakistan.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has already served as UN Commissioner for Refugees and spent a lot of time in our country. The UN Secretary General always appreciated the role of Pakistan for hosting a large number of Afghan refugees. He himself admitted that Pakistan has less than 1% contribution in global carbon emissions but unfortunately is among the 10 most vulnerable countries affected by climate change. This year we have witnessed around 587% more rains than predicted.
