In the aftermath of last year’s devastating floods, the UN Secretary-General has appealed for support for Pakistan as it undergoes reconstruction. Antonio Guterres, addressing the UN headquarters in New York, labeled Pakistan as a “double victim” of both “climate chaos” and an “unjust” global financial system.
Guterres emphasized the challenges faced by Pakistan, stating, “Pakistan is a double victim – grappling with the consequences of climate chaos and hindered by an outdated and unjust global financial system that obstructs middle-income countries from accessing essential resources for adaptation and resilience.” The floods in 2022, triggered by intense monsoon rains, submerged one-third of Pakistan, resulting in over 1,700 casualties, the destruction of 2 million homes, and critical infrastructure, and affecting 33 million people, half of whom were children, according to UN figures.
In response, the government, in collaboration with the UN, initiated a flood response plan, seeking $816 million to assist 9.5 million of the most affected individuals. However, the appeal is only 69% funded, prompting Guterres to stress, “Pakistan needs and deserves substantial support from the international community.”
Highlighting the disproportionate impact on Pakistan, Guterres stated, “The country is responsible for less than 1% of greenhouse gas emissions, yet its people are 15 times more likely to succumb to climate-related impacts than those in other regions.” He declared Pakistan a “litmus test for climate justice,” urging countries that contributed most to global heating to take a leading role in rectifying the harm caused.
Recalling the scenes of devastation, Guterres said, “I will never forget the climate-related carnage I saw – lives, homes, livelihoods, schools, hospitals, all obliterated.” Despite promises of billions in aid, much of the funding for Pakistan is still pending, causing delays that “undermine people’s efforts to rebuild their lives.”
The Secretary-General appealed to donors and international financial institutions, urging them “to fulfill their commitments and promptly provide the pledged funds to facilitate the recovery process.”
