• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Sindh and Balochistan on Saturday.
• He described the devastation caused by the floods as “unimaginable”.
• The UN’s assistance is “a drop in the ocean” compared to what is needed, he said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the devastation caused by the unprecedented floods as “unimaginable.” as he visited the affected areas in Sindh and Balochistan on Saturday.

Antonio Guterres flew over flood-ravaged areas with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and others.

He described the country’s flood devastation as “unimaginable.”

Antonio Guterres, reiterating his appeal to help Pakistan cope with catastrophic floods, told developed nations that the international body’s assistance is “a drop in the ocean” compared to what is needed to rebuild.

Flooding has killed nearly 1,400 people and destroyed crops, homes, businesses, roads, and bridges across one-third of the country — an area the size of the United Kingdom.

Guterres hopes that his visit will galvanise support for Pakistan, which requires at least $10 billion in infrastructure repairs.

In an interview with journalists in Sukkur, the UNSG stated that there needs to be a serious discussion about loss and damage because “what the UN is doing in Pakistan is a drop in the ocean of what is needed.”

“We are perfectly aware of our limited capacity and our resources. But you can absolutely be sure about one thing: were are in total solidarity with the Pakistani people.”

The UN Secretary-General stated that he will ask the international community to assist Pakistan “right away,” while also vowing to raise awareness about the disastrous situation.

During its annual monsoon season, Pakistan receives heavy — and often destructive — rains, which are critical for agriculture and water supplies.

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However, downpours as heavy as this year’s have not been seen in decades.

“It is not a question of generosity, but of justice,” he said, reiterating the UN’s commitment, strong support, and solidarity with Pakistan’s flood-affected people.

The floods, according to Guterres, caused massive damage and loss to human lives and property.

He emphasised that the international community must recognise the serious consequences of greenhouse gas emissions, as nature was responding with natural disasters.

Greenhouse gases have accelerated climate change, and countries with larger carbon footprints must understand these issues, according to Guterres.

Due to the losses, Pakistan expects to reduce its GDP growth projection for fiscal year 2022-2023 to 3% from 5%, according to planning minister Ahsan Iqbal.

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The UN has already launched an appeal for $160 million in aid to assist Pakistan in dealing with the disaster.

In a previous tweet, the UN Secretary-General stated that developing countries were paying a “horrific price” for the world’s reliance on fossil fuels.

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