United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres left for the US on Sunday after wrapping up his two-day visit to Pakistan while reiterating that the natural calamity which has hit the south Asian country needs global response, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah saw him off at Karachi Airport this morning.
The UN chief paid the visit on 9th and 10th of this month to show solidarity with the people of Pakistan who are braving a colossal climate-induced natural disaster caused by unprecedented rains and floods across the country.
I have never seen climate carnage on the scale of the floods here in Pakistan.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 10, 2022
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. pic.twitter.com/5nqcJIMoIA
During his visit he called for substantial and sustained support and solidarity from the international community to overcome the enormous challenges posed by the unprecedented climate induced floods in Pakistan.
Besides high-level meetings, briefings, interactions with displaced people, UN country representatives, civil society and media, he also visited flood affected areas of Sindh and Balochistan, where he was given an overview of the rescue and relief efforts of the Government of Pakistan and national and international partners. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accompanied him during his visit to flood-hit areas.
Talking to media on Saturday, the foreign dignitary observed that Pakistan had no resources to compensate for the loss of lives, crops and livestock. “Those who had created such situation must massively support Pakistan as Pakistan can’t do it alone. I am not asking for generosity, but for justice,” he added.
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.
PM says big thank you to UNSG
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 today, 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.”
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.
— 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.”
During his visit to the flood-affected areas & camps under scorching heat, UN Secrtary General was overwhelmed by the scale of devastation that has engulfed Pakisan. His voice has become the voice of flood victims. The world should pay heed to what he said about climate change. pic.twitter.com/I2Ag2ttm32
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 11, 2022
Sindh CM expresses his gratitude over UN support
On Sunday, while seeing him off, CM Shah expressed his gratitude to the UN head for his visit to Pakistan for showing solidarity with the flood affected people and for visiting flood relief camps to get first-hand knowledge of the difficulties being faced by the affectees. He lauded the personal efforts of the UN secretary-general for the resolution of these problems.