Focus on the BIG picture.
Sunday, Jun 01, 2025

Pakistan need your help

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to the world to help Pakistan after arriving in the country Friday to see climate-induced devastation from months of deadly record floods that have left half a million people living in tents under the open sky.
His trip comes less than two weeks after Guterres appealed for $160 million in emergency funding to help those affected by the monsoon rains and floods that have caused at least $10 billion in damages and 1,391 deaths.

International aid is arriving, including the first planeload of what the U.S. has pledged will be $30 million in assistance.

"I have arrived in Pakistan to express my deep solidarity with the Pakistani people after the devastating floods here. I appeal for massive support from the international community as Pakistan responds to this climate catastrophe," he said on Twitter before dawn.

"The visit will also help in realizing the consequences of the deadly effects of climate change," said, urging the international community to step up efforts to help poor countries affected by floods and natural disasters.

Aurangzeb said Guterres will receive a briefing from Pakistani officials about damages caused by floods before addressing a news conference along with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Friday.

So far, U.N. agencies and several countries have sent nearly 60 planeloads of aid, and authorities say the United Arab Emirates is one of the most generous contributors, as it has sent so far 26 flights carrying aid or flood victims. The United States said it will provide $30 million in assistance to help flood victims.

The floods have touched all of Pakistan and affected more than 3.3 million people. Heritages sites have also been damaged, including Mohenjo Daro, considered one of the best-preserved ancient urban settlements in South Asia.

The ruins near the Indus River were discovered in 1922 and to this day, mystery surrounds the disappearance of the civilization that dates back 4,500 years, coinciding with those of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Mohenjo Daro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the U.N. heritage agency on Thursday announced an emergency amount of $350,000 to help recover flood-damaged cultural heritage sites.

Guterres was received on his arrival by Deputy Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and will meet with Prime Minister Sharif and other government and military officials on his visit.

Before the U.N. chief's arrival, Sharif told a visiting American diplomat that the world should step up its fight against climate change to avoid more deadly flooding. Derek Chollet, a senior State Department official, was visiting Islamabad to assess damages and arrange for aid.

According to the government's statement, Chollet affirmed that the U.S. would stand by Pakistan in the wake of the floods and extend help to help people rebuild.

On Friday, the first American planeload carrying aid will arrive in Pakistan, according to Pakistan officials, who say Washington is setting up a humanitarian aid air bridge to deliver much-needed for flood victims,

Since June, heavy rains and floods have added new burdens to cash-strapped Pakistan and highlighted the disproportionate effect of climate change on impoverished populations. Experts say Pakistan is responsible for only 0.4% of the world's historic emissions blamed for climate change. The U.S. is responsible for 21.5%, China for 16.5% and the EU 15%.

The floods in Pakistan have also injured 12,722 people, destroyed thousands of kilometers of roads, toppled bridges and damaged schools and hospitals, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Thailand Closes Border Crossings with Cambodia Following Deadly Military Clash
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
New York Man Allegedly Tortured for Bitcoin in Disturbing Criminal Case
Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' Criticized for Impact on Single Parents
Claims Surface of $21 Trillion U.S. Underground 'Doomsday' Bunkers
Wall Street Coins 'TACO Trade' in Response to Trump's Tariff Strategies
Sean 'Diddy' Combs Denied Mistrial in Sex Trafficking Case
U.S. Introduces Visa Restrictions for Foreign Censorship Activities
Vice President JD Vance Declares Support for Cryptocurrency
Philippines Signals Openness to China Talks Amid South China Sea Tensions
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Hong Kong International Airport's Terminal 2 Set for Phased Reopening Starting September
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
U.S. Considers Withdrawing Troops from Europe
Meloni and Macron Clash Over Trump Communication
Russia Deploys Motorbike Squads in Ukraine Conflict
Far-Right Parties Suffer Setbacks in European Elections
Contraband Phones Used for Crimes in French Prisons
×