New York: Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres returned to New York after completing his two-day visit to Pakistan.
The UN Secretary-General arrived here in Islamabad in the early hours of Friday to assess the devastation caused by the monsoonal floods and to show solidarity with the people of Pakistan.
He was briefed at the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the flood situation in Pakistan on Friday.
Speaking after the briefing, Antonio Guterres appreciated all those working tirelessly to support the victims of this unprecedented natural disaster.
Pakistan launches Flood Response Plan 2022 in collaboration with United Nations
Regarding the effects of climate change on the world, he said that humanity declared war on nature, and nature is tracking back.
“But nature is blind. It is not striking back on those who have contributed more to the war on nature,” he said.
“Pakistan has had little contribution to climate change but it is one of the most dramatically impacted by the consequences of climate change,” Guterres said during the briefing.
The UN Secretary-General, besides urging support for flood relief assistance, also emphasized debt support for Pakistan to help the country overcome numerous challenges, including economic stability.
I was moved by the generosity of people affected by the Pakistan floods toward one another.
They have opened their homes & shared what they have.
This is an example of solidarity for all countries as the impacts of the climate crisis continue to impact the most vulnerable. pic.twitter.com/sv8NduyiSk
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 10, 2022
Today its Pakistan, tomorrow it could be any country: Antonio Guterres
Guterres said he would continue raising his voice for the Pakistani government and people, who were grappling with difficult situations amid floods.
“Pakistan is in my heart as I have worked with this country for 17 years while the nation extended enormous generosity to Afghan refugees for decades,” he said.
During his visit, the UN Secretary-General also held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz to discuss the flood situation across the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while appreciating UN Secretary-General Guterres’ support for the Pakistan flood victims said that he was deeply touched by his empathy and leadership.
In his tweet Sunday, PM Shehbaz wrote: “A big thank you to UN SG @antonioguterres for his unprecedented support of the flood victims. His two-day visit has been critical in raising awareness about the human tragedy. Deeply touched by his empathy and leadership. Pakistan needs global support to overcome this challenge.”
میں UN SG @antonioguterres کا سیلاب متاثرین کی مثالی حمایت کیلئےشکرگزار ہوں.انکا دو روزہ دورہ اس انسانی سانحے کےبارے دنیا بھر میں آگاہی پھیلانے کیلئے نہایت اہم رہا. انکی ہمدردی اور قائدانہ خصوصیات نے مجھےمتاثر کیا.پاکستان کو اس چیلینج سےنبردآزما ہونےکیلئے عالمی تعاون کی ضرورت ہے
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 11, 2022
“During his visit to the flood-affected areas & camps under scorching heat, UN Secretary-General was overwhelmed by the scale of devastation that has engulfed Pakistan. His voice has become the voice of flood victims. The world should pay heed to what he said about climate change.”
