Pak hit despite minimal contribution to climate change: UN Secretary-General

ISLAMABAD:

UN Secretary General António Guterres on Friday showed that the ongoing flooding cost Pakistan 30 billion dollars calling international community expand “massive support” to a country that contributed little to emissions but bore the brunt of changing of the climate.

The head of the UN is in Pakistan in show solidarity with a country devastated by climatic floods and get first-hand information of devastation.

As many as 33 million people affected by natural disaster with people not to lose just homes but their livelihood.

Scale of the devastation seems to have surpassed”super floods” of 2010 as Pakistan suffered losses at the time of about 10 billion dollars.

While the government’s revised estimate suggests that direct and indirect losses could be in in range of $20 billion, UN Secretary-General says news conference with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif arrived. up with figure of a whopping $30 billion.

“I want say a few words about international community. Pakistan needs massive financial support respond to this crisis cost according to some estimates, today I heard about 30 billion dollars and more,” the head of the UN said at a press conference.

He said with The Prime Minister at the National Flood Response and Coordination Centre, where the head of the UN was briefed on the damage and rescue and relief efforts.

Guterres pushed for an extension support Pakistan will not just express solidarity, but do justice to a country that was a front-line state of Negative consequences of changing of the climate.

Mankind has declared war on nature as well as nature hit back. But nature the blind don’t show up back on those who contributed more to war on nature,” he said.

He said that Pakistan has contributed little to climate change, but Pakistan one of hardest hit hotspots of consequence of changing of the climate.

“So what is it like nature attacked wrong one. it should be on those who are more responsible for climate change,” he said, speaking of countries contributes the most to climate change.

Read the UN is getting ready for it will get worse in Pakistan floods

The UN Secretary-General has stated that there is an obligation of in international community to support pakistan en masse in real circumstances.

The head of the UN has known Pakistan for 17 years. with country. He was the UN High Commissioner for refugees at the time of Afghan war. He acknowledged the enormous generosity shown by Pakistan in hosting 6 million Afghan refugees.

“My voice and my services are completely at your disposal of in government of Pakistan and people of Pakistan,” he said, prompting the premier to acknowledge his strong words. of support for Pakistan in this hour of need.

“Every penny goes to the victims”

Thanking the UN Secretary General, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that “every penny” for in flood sacrifices would be spent transparently and would go towards suffering humanity.

The prime minister said the federal and provincial governments, as well as all stakeholders, including the military, are working together to help and rescue the 33 million people affected. people.

He said that rescue work and assistance were in full gear and what people were moved to safe places. He also thanked various countries and organizations for extension support to Pakistan.

He claimed that the nation would soon enter reconstruction and rehabilitation phase and that Pakistan is doing its best with its meager resources, but it would take enough support restore damaged infrastructure.

Prime Minister Shehbaz further stated that the floods in Pakistan were a blatant manifestation of climate change and that it is high time to pay attention to it of situation.

UNSG arrives in Pakistan

UN Secretary General (UNSG) António Guterres arrives in Pakistan on Friday for two day visit express solidarity with in government as well as people devastated by catastrophic floods in country.

He was received by the minister of State for Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar at Islamabad International Airport.

Shortly after his arrival, the UN Secretary-General’s team visited the residence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where he was received by Prime Minister Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other leaders.

Guterres and Prime Minister Shehbaz held a meeting at the Prime Minister’s house.

During his visit, the UN Secretary-General will visit flood-affected areas in country.

“I arrived in Pakistan, to express our deepest solidarity with Pakistani people after the devastating flood here, said secretary-general in tweet.

Read more Flood losses are estimated up up to 20 billion dollars

“I am addressing for massive support from international community how Pakistan will respond to this climate catastrophe,” he said. added.

According to Minister of Information Marriyum Aurangzeb, the UNSC will also hold a joint press conference together with Prime Minister Shehbaz in afternoon.

A Foreign Ministry statement released a day earlier said that during Guterres’ visit “there will be meetings with Pakistani leadership and senior officials to exchange views on in national as well as global response to this disaster caused climate change”.

“The Secretary General will visit the areas most affected by the flood. He will interact with displaced families and first defendants in field, and oversee the UN humanitarian response work in support of government rescue and relief efforts for millions of affected people,” It added.

He has also actively supported $160 million United Nations “Flash Appeal” to fund the Pakistan Flood Response Plan.

Visit senior UN diplomat also intended to emphasize the importance of stable international support for Pakistan through rehabilitation and reconstruction phase as well as for building stability against future climate shocks.