World must assist Pakistan to help it cope with flood challenge: UN Chief

Staff Reporter
SUKKUR, Sep 10 (NNI): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has once again urged the world community to take calamity-hit Pakistan seriously and extend massive support to it so that it could be able to mitigate the effects of large-scale destruction caused by the recent catastrophic floods and unprecedented rains.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reached Sukkur to review the damages caused by recent unprecedented floods. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also accompanying them. The UN chief along with Premier Shehbaz and members of federal cabinet would also visit flood-ravaged areas of Balochistan and review the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts. The prime minister and the UN secretary-general took an aerial view of the flood-hit areas of Sindh and also visited a flood relief camp in Larkana. Talking to the media in Sukkur, the UN chief said that he was dejected to see a huge loss of lives and a trail of destruction. “We are ready to help Pakistan in every possible manner,” Guteress said adding that Pakistan was severely hit by climate change.
The UN secretary-general said the countries vulnerable to climate change including Pakistan must be supported to rebuild resilient communities and infrastructure to resist future disasters. He also called for a reduction in emissions.
Expressing solidarity with Pakistan, the UN chief said the UN would do everything possible to raise awareness about the flood situation in Pakistan and request those who have the capacity to support the country in these difficult times.
“It is not a matter of generosity, but a matter of justice,” Guteress said reiterating the UN’s commitment, strong support and solidarity with the flood-affected populace of Pakistan. The UN chief said that huge damages and losses were caused to human lives and properties. “The UN absolutely supports the Pakistani nation and requests the well-resourced nations to support the country massively, so that it can face the future challenges of climatic changes and save its nation,” he added. He stressed that the international community must realize the serious impacts of greenhouse emissions as nature was striking back in the form of natural calamities.