*figures updated Oct 14.
Pakistan has been hit by catastrophic rains and floods of epic proportions. The colossal scale of devastation across various parts of Pakistan has affected more than 33 million people. One third of the country is literally under water.
Over 1,700 people have lost their lives, more than 12,900 people have been injured, over a 1.3 million houses have been damaged, 806,000 houses destroyed, entire villages have been wiped out. Over 1.2 million livestock have perished and over 2 million acres of crops have been lost, besides severe damage to infrastructure.
The government of Pakistan has mounted coordinated rescue and relief operations mobilizing all possible resources and capacities. Everyone is contributing to this national effort, including our vibrant Pakistani Diaspora. But the sheer scale of this climate-induced calamity has stretched our resources and capacity to the limit, thus necessitating support from international communities. UN Secretary General has termed the rains as “monsoons on steroids”. Pakistan contributes less than 1% in greenhouse gasses yet it is the 8th most vulnerable country in terms of climate shock. It is therefore the responsibility of the international community to assist Pakistan. Pakistan together with the UN has launched the Flash Appeal “2022 Pakistan Floods Response Plan (FRP)”.
*update: UN raises funding appeal to $816 million
We are thankful to the community members for their generous support and solidarity with the flood victims. They can contribute in the PM Flood Relief Fund. I appeal to the community members and partners to come forward to assist and help Pakistan come out of this unprecedented natural disaster caused by climate change.
Tariq Karim
Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago