: In flood-hit Pakistan, Guterres appeals for ‘massive’ global support, tougher action on climate change #IndiaNEWS #International UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Pakistan on Friday

In flood-hit Pakistan, Guterres appeals for ‘massive’ global support, tougher action on climate change #IndiaNEWS #International
UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Pakistan on Friday to show solidarity with the people of the country following the loss of life and destruction caused by this year’s devastating floods. He appealed for massive international support to tackle this “climate catastrophe�?.

Pakistan has been inundated with near continuous monsoon rainfall, flash flooding, and rain-induced landslides since mid-June, causing widespread devastation and casualties affecting millions of people across the South Asian country.
Upon his arrival, Mr. Guterres was briefed on the latest developments and the Pakistan-led response by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, as well as other senior members of the Government.
His two-day visit to the country is not only about solidarity, as he stressed during his various meetings today, “it is [also] a matter of justice�?.
“My heart goes out to everyone who has lost loved ones in this tragedy, and all those who have been affected by the loss of their homes, their businesses and their livelihoods�? he told journalists in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, in a joint press conference alongside Minister of Foreign Affairs Zardari.

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Secretary-General António Guterres (right, back to camera) along with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan visit the National Flood Response and Coordination Centre in Islamabad.

‘A terrifying wall of water’
“[We] have all seen media images of the extraordinary destruction. I can only imagine the power and ferocity of the water as it bore down on villages, roads, bridges and everything else in its path. It was clearly terrifying – a wall of water. �? Mr. Guterres said, adding: “No country deserves this fate, but particularly not countries like Pakistan that have done almost nothing to contribute to global warming. �?
Indeed, the UN chief stressed that Pakistan and other developing countries – from the Horn of Africa to the Sahel – are paying a horrific price for the intransigence of big emitters that continue to bet on fossil fuels, in the face of science, common sense and basic human decency.
Even today, emissions are rising as people die in floods and famines. “This is insanity,�? stated the Secretary-General. “This is collective suicide,�? he added, calling for an end to the “war with nature�? and urging more investment in renewable energy.

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Secretary-General António Guterres (left) meets with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan.