Pakistan is hosting an international conference in Geneva with the help of the United Nations to generate international support for a $16bn rebuilding effort in the country following last year’s devastating floods.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres kicked off the one-day event on Monday, being attended by officials from nearly 40 other countries as well as private donors and international financial institutions.
The unprecedented floods caused by melting glaciers and record monsoon rains last year affected more than 33 million Pakistanis, killing more than 1,700 people and pushing about nine million others into poverty, according to the UN.
Thousands of people are still living in open areas, tents and makeshift homes in Sindh and Balochistan, the two worst-hit provinces, with stagnant water still present in many areas.
‘We’re racing against time’
In his opening remarks, Guterres praised Pakistan and its people for responding to “this epic tragedy with heroic humanity”.
“We must match the heroic response of the people of Pakistan with our own efforts and massive investments to strengthen their communities for the future,” he said.
“Pakistan is doubly victimised by climate chaos and a morally bankrupt global financial system,” the UN chief added. “No country deserves to endure what happened to Pakistan.”
Addressing the summit, Sharif called for a “new coalition of the willing” among the international community, “one that can save lives and put them on a path to responsible global citizenship”.
“Today’s meeting is an attempt to give my people another chance at getting back on their feet,” he said, adding that his government needed at least $8bn from outside donors over the next three years to rebuild the country.
“We are racing against time,” he said.
