UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Pakistan on Friday to support its response to the devastating floods and is expected to meet with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and visit the flooded areas during a two-day trip.
Seasonal rains and melting glaciers in the northern mountains, which the government attributes to climate change, caused floods that swept away homes, roads, railways, bridges, livestock and crops, killing more than 1,391 people.
Vast areas of the country were flooded, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes and affecting the lives of nearly 33 million people, according to the government.
“I came to Pakistan to express my strong solidarity with the Pakistani people after the devastating floods,” Guterres said.
The United Nations has launched a US$160 million request for assistance, but Pakistan estimates that the floods have caused around US$10 billion in damage.
“I ask the international community to provide great support as Pakistan fights this climate disaster,” Guterres said.
In addition to meeting with Sharif and the chancellor, Guterres will also visit the affected areas during his visit.
“The Secretary-General’s visit will raise global awareness of the enormity of this disaster and the resulting loss of life and widespread destruction,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The World Health Organization said that more than 6.4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in the affected areas.
Source: Al Ittihad
