UN Chief urges IMF, WB to help Pakistan for reconstruction of flood- hit areas

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged upon the global financial institutions including IMF, World Bank and the international community to support Pakistan to deal with vast devastation left behind by the unprecedented floods. He said “there is a huge responsibility of the international community to support Pakistan.”

Talking to Pakistan’s state news service, he said Pakistan needs “strong” support from the international community to deal with the vast devastation left behind by the unprecedented floods in August, pointing out that three times the area of his country — Portugal — was under water. The floods have affected 33 million and killed over 1700 people.

Speaking at year-end press conference at UN Headquarters in New York, Antonio Guterres said “I am totally committed to do everything possible to mobilize the international community to support Pakistan. ”

“I’ve been in Pakistan immediately after the floods have occurred,” he said, adding, “I was dramatically impressed by what I’ve seen.

“Three times the area of my own country flooded, terrible loss of crops and animals and of houses and of life, for the population of Sindh and Balochistan, an absolutely devastating situation, and I believe the international community has a strong responsibility to support Pakistan that has contributed in a very minimal way to climate change”.

“I was also in recent contact with the IMF and World Bank that hopefully will be also from these two institutions, meaningful action and the Pakistani people, deserves and needs a strong expression of international solidarity,” the UN chief added.