Months of heavy rain and flooding have killed 1,391 people and affected 33 million, leaving half a million people homeless. Aid planes from the United States, the United Arab Emirates and other countries have begun to arrive, but Guterres said more needs to be done to help a country that contributes less than 1 percent of global emissions. “We are heading for a disaster,” Guterres said. “We have waged war on nature and nature is fighting back and fighting back in a devastating way. Today in Pakistan, tomorrow in any of your countries.” Victims of heavy flooding from monsoon rains carry aid through floodwaters in Qambar Shahdadkot district of Sindh province. Photo: Fareed Khan/AP The UN chief’s trip comes less than two weeks after he called for $160 million in emergency funding to help those affected by the flood. “I am calling for massive support from the international community as Pakistan responds to this climate disaster,” he said shortly after landing in the country. He said that other countries contributing to the climate crisis are obliged to reduce emissions and help Pakistan. “Pakistan has not contributed significantly to climate change, the level of emissions in this country is relatively low,” he said. “But Pakistan is one of the countries most affected by climate change.” “Even today, emissions are rising as people die in floods and famines. This is insanity. This is collective suicide,” he said. “From Pakistan, I am making a global appeal: Stop the madness. end the war with nature. invest in renewable energy now.” So far, UN agencies and several countries have sent nearly 60 planes with aid, and authorities say the United Arab Emirates has been one of the most generous contributors, sending 26 flights carrying aid for flood victims so far. Pakistan: hospitals struggle with influx of patients as third country under water – video report The first plane arrived from the US on Friday, which Washington says is part of an upcoming $30 million in aid. More US military planes are expected to arrive in the coming days as part of a humanitarian bridge Washington has set up to deliver much-needed aid across the country. USAID announced an additional $20 million on Friday in humanitarian aid for Pakistan. Guterres said some estimates suggest Pakistan needs about $30 billion to recover from the floods. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Flooding has touched all of Pakistan, including heritage sites such as Mohenjo-daro, a Unesco World Heritage Site considered one of the best-preserved ancient urban settlements in South Asia. The civilization dates back 4,500 years, coinciding with those of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. The UN’s cultural heritage agency announced Thursday that it will send $350,000 to help recover cultural heritage sites damaged by the floods. Speaking at a press conference with Pakistan’s foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Guterres underlined the importance of combating climate change. “It is now happening all around us and I urge governments to address this issue,” he said, adding that what he has done so far as UN chief is “a drop in the ocean of the needs of the Pakistani people.” He said a proposal for a donor conference for flood-hit Pakistan was under discussion.
