United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has vowed to do everything possible to mobilize international aid and assistance for flood-affected people in Pakistan.
This determination of the Secretary General of the United Nations came out during the meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The UN chief said that Pakistan deserves the full and full support of the international community to deal with the disasters of floods.
UN Secretary-General committed to do everything possible to mobilize support for Pakistan.
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 22, 2022
In response, the Prime Minister appreciated the timely visit of the Secretary General and the affirmation of solidarity with Pakistan in the wake of the devastating climatic floods.
The UNSG visited Pakistan earlier this month to express solidarity with the flood-affected nation.
The prime minister is in New York, where he is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly to tell the world the story of Pakistan’s “suffering and pain”. Apart from the UNSG, Prime Minister Shehbaz has also met world leaders, where he appealed for help in light of the deadly floods.
After the meeting with the head of the United Nations, the prime minister attended a photo exhibition with the head of global communication of the United Nations at the headquarters of the United Nations.
“These images tell the story of suffering, pain and agony that the 33 million people of Pakistan are experiencing through no fault of their own,” the prime minister said while explaining the exhibition.
Attended a photo exhibition a little earlier with UN Global Communication head in the UN HQ. These photos tell a tale of misery, pain & anguish that 33 million people of Pakistan are experiencing for no fault of theirs. Our story needs a sympathetic hearing. pic.twitter.com/48OIPgbrov
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 22, 2022
“Our story needs sympathetic hearing.”
Hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the floods are living in the open and scores of people have died of diseases and floods since the beginning of the monsoon season.
Stagnant floodwaters, spread over hundreds of kilometres, may take two to six months to recede. Already they have led to widespread cases of skin and eye infections, diarrhoea, malaria, typhoid and dengue fever.
Authorities and aid workers have said more immediate help is needed for displaced families exposed to swarms of mosquitoes and other hazards, such as snake and dog bites.
Despite the efforts of the government and local and foreign relief organisations, many people are in dire need of food, shelter, medical assistance and medicines.
With Pakistan’s already weak health system and lack of support, displaced families have complained of being forced to drink and cook with unsafe water.
A historic and intense monsoon dumped about three times as much rain as Pakistan’s three-decade average. Combined with glacial melt, this caused unprecedented flooding.
The deluge, which scientists say was exacerbated by climate change, has affected nearly 33 million people in the South Asian nation of 220 million. It has swept away homes, crops, bridges, roads and livestock in damages estimated at $30 billion.
