After visiting flood-ravaged Pakistan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres claimed on Saturday that he has “never witnessed climate carnage” on this magnitude, blaming wealthier countries for the destruction.
After seeing the worst of the damages in southern Pakistan, Guterres in a press conference said, “I have seen many humanitarian disasters in the world, but I have never seen climate carnage on the scale of the floods here in Pakistan,” ARY News reported.
“I have simply no words to describe what I have seen today,” the UN chief was quoted by ANI in its report.
“As our planet continues to warm, all countries will increasingly suffer losses and damage from climate beyond their capacity to adapt. This is a global crisis. It demands a global response,” he added.
The UN chief went on to say that people had lost their homes, and farmers had lost their harvests and cattle.
Massive and immediate financial assistance for Pakistan is urgently required, he added, adding that this is not a matter of solidarity or compassion, but of justice.
Taking to Twitter, UN Chief stated: “I was moved by the generosity of people affected by the Pakistan floods toward one another. They have opened their homes and 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.”
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
— Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 10, 2022
He urged the international community to increase aid to flood-ravaged Pakistan, stating, “It is a question of justice, Pakistan is paying the price for something that was caused by others.”
Guterres expressed optimism that his visit will galvanise help for Pakistan, which has estimated the cost of the disaster at more than USD 30 billion, according to the government’s flood relief centre.
The UN Secretary-General visited numerous flood-ravaged districts in Pakistan on Saturday, urging for additional global financial help at the culmination of a two-day mission aimed at raising awareness of the tragedy, according to ARY News.
During its yearly monsoon season, Pakistan experiences tremendous — and frequently catastrophic — rains, which are critical for agriculture and water supply. However, this year’s severe rains have wreaked havoc on the country, while quickly melting glaciers in the north have piled strain on rivers for months.
Pakistan is responsible for less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, but it ranks ninth on a list published by the NGO Germanwatch of nations most vulnerable to climate-related severe weather.
(With Inputs From ANI)