UN to seek $160 million in emergency aid for Pakistan floods

Islamabad, Aug. 30 (BNA): The United Nations and Pakistan are set to request $160 million in emergency funding for nearly half a million displaced victims of record-breaking floods that have claimed more than 1,150 lives since mid-June. .

The Associated Press (AP) said Pakistani authorities backed by the army, rescuers and volunteers are struggling in the wake of floods that have affected more than 33 million people, or one in seven Pakistanis.

Rescue workers evacuate stranded people to safer ground, including makeshift camps that have sprung up along highways and in flooded villages and towns.

According to preliminary government estimates, the destruction caused $10 billion in losses to the economy. “It is an initial estimate that is likely to be much higher,” Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund has approved the long-awaited issuance of $1.17 billion to Pakistan.

Pakistan and the IMF originally signed a major rescue agreement in 2019.

The release of the $1.17 billion tranche has been on hold since earlier this year, when the International Monetary Fund expressed concern about Pakistan’s compliance with the terms of the deal under the government of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was ousted by a vote of no confidence in Parliament. in April.

Many scientists say the record-breaking floods in Pakistan bear all the hallmarks of a disaster caused by climate change, but it is too early to officially blame global warming.

This year, Pakistan experienced the highest rainfall in at least three decades. Abid Qayyum Soliri, Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development Policy and a member of the Pakistan Climate Change Council, said:

“Extreme weather patterns are becoming more frequent in the region and Pakistan is no exception.”

But Soleri of the country’s Climate Change Council said the government had not implemented plans to prevent future floods by preventing construction and homes in flood-prone areas and river basins.

Floods and monsoons destroyed 1 million homes and affected 33 million people.

It reflects how poorer countries often pay the price for climate change caused largely by industrialized nations. Since 1959, Pakistan has been responsible for only 0.4% of the world’s historical carbon dioxide emissions. The United States is responsible for 21.5%, China 16.5%, and the European Union 15%.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority, at least 498,000 people in the country of 220 million are in relief camps after being displaced.

Pakistan began receiving international aid this week, and other planes carrying aid from Turkey and the UAE landed at an airport near Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the military.

It added that Chinese planes carrying aid would arrive in Pakistan later on Tuesday.

Pakistan has deployed at least 6,500 soldiers to assist the authorities in rescue and relief operations.

ZHB