ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Nations have jointly launched Flood Response Plan 2022 in Tuesday for donation of $160 million to meet the needs of flood-affected people, as more than 1100 people die and over 33 million have been affected by the flood, besides huge destruction of infrastructure.
The “2022 Pakistan Floods Response Plan” was launched Tuesday simultaneously in Islamabad and Geneva.
Speaking on the occasion, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the international community to give its full backing to the flash appeal to help the people of Pakistan most in need. He encouraged them to contribute generously towards meeting the funding requirements of this response plan.
The Foreign Minister said the appeal prioritizes focused interventions in areas of education, food security, agriculture, health, nutrition, protection, shelter and non-food items, water, sanitation and hygiene.
He said Pakistan also needs assistance with livelihoods and livestock support as well as relief machinery and equipment. He said we urgently need shelter, tents and mosquito nets if they can be arranged. We will need support for reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-affected areas.
Referring to the devastation caused by the floods on a large scale, the Foreign Minister said the international community’s support and solidarity with Pakistan at this time will go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of flood-affected people and rebuilding their lives.
Meanwhile, in his video message the UN Secretary General António Guterres said the world body has issued flash appeal for 160 million dollars to support the response led by Pakistani government.
He called upon the international community to work together to respond quickly to this colossal crisis.
“Pakistan is awash in suffering,” the UN Secretary-General said, adding “The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids – the relentless impact of epochal levels of rain and flooding.”
He said the scale of needs, with millions of people forced from their homes, schools and health facilities destroyed and livelihoods shattered by the climate catastrophe, required the world’s collective and prioritised attention.
Guterres said the $160 million he hoped to raise with the appeal would provide 5.2 million people with food, water, sanitation, emergency education and health support.
Guterres appealed for a speedy response to Pakistan’s request to the international community for help.
“Let us all step up in solidarity and support the people of Pakistan in their hour of need,” he said.
“Let’s stop sleepwalking towards the destruction of our planet by climate change.”
Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, also delivered remarks in his capacity as the Chairperson of the “Relief Coordination Committee” constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Also speaking at the event will be the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Islamabad, and the Assistant Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The launch event was attended by all UN Member States as well as various UN agencies and humanitarian organizations working in the area of disaster relief.
Read more: ‘Monster Monsoon’ shakes Pakistan; kills over 1,100, a 3rd of country under water
