Additionally, they emphasized the importance of reducing carbon emissions and strengthening early warning systems to protect countries around the globe that are becoming more susceptible to severe weather events.

Addressing the United Nations at its headquarters in New York, Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the significance of the global community’s reaction to Pakistan’s current challenges, stating that it serves as a crucial measure of climate justice.

‘Double victim’

He stated that Pakistan requires and is entitled to significant backing from the global community.

Even though Pakistan only accounts for less than one percent of global emissions, its citizens are at a significantly higher risk of death from climate-related consequences, up to 15 times more.

According to him, Pakistan suffers from two major issues: the effects of climate change and an unfair global financial system that hinders middle-income countries from obtaining necessary resources for adaptation and resilience.

Epochal disaster

Due to heavy monsoon rainfall, floods covered a significant portion of Pakistan, resulting in 1,700 deaths, 2 million homes destroyed, critical infrastructure damaged, and 33 million people affected, half of which were children.

After the initial events, the Government, with the assistance of the UN, implemented a plan to address the flooding. They requested $816 million to aid 9.5 million individuals who were most impacted. Currently, the appeal has received 69% of its target funding.

Currently, the reaction persists as the United Nations and its collaborators aid individuals in regions devastated by floods. This comes after additional heavy rainfall during the summer and as Pakistan’s economy faces challenges in its recovery. Organizations like the UN Development Programme (UNDP) are also supporting the reconstruction of livelihoods for affected individuals.

‘Step forward’

The President of the General Assembly, Dennis Francis, called on Member States and the wider UN system to continue providing unwavering assistance for recovery and rebuilding efforts.

He encouraged countries and those involved to take action and provide the necessary funding to gather resources. He stressed the importance of addressing the lack of funds for both adapting to climate change and reducing disaster risks.

UNICEF reports that approximately 8 million individuals, 50% of whom are children, lack access to safe water in regions affected by floods. Furthermore, 3.5 million children are still unable to attend school and 1.5 million are in need of vital nutrition aid.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated that the circumstances for individuals in regions affected by floods are severe, compounded by pre-existing issues and inequalities.

“The obstacles may seem overwhelming, but they can be overcome… we have a genuine chance to create long-lasting, positive impact for the children of Pakistan.”

Beating down the door

Mr. Guterres restated his caution that climate disorder is approaching for all individuals, emphasizing that at present, it is aggressively manifesting itself across various regions, from the Horn of Africa to Canada.

According to him, carbon emissions are causing the Earth to warm up, resulting in deaths, damage to communities, and negative impacts on economies.

Source: news.un.org