Secretary-General, at Weekend High-level Meeting on Pakistan Flooding,

 

Calls for Urgent Response to Revised Emergency Plan

 

Following are United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the High-level Ministerial Meeting on the Flood Emergency in Pakistan, in New York, yesterday, 19 September:

Thank you for coming together for the second time in a month for the people of Pakistan.

We are here because the Pakistan floods are one of the biggest, most complex natural disasters we have faced in the history of the United Nations.  The flooding has affected an estimated 20 million people — and 20 per cent of Pakistan’s land.  Eight to 12 million people need urgent humanitarian assistance.

The Government of Pakistan, the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, all humanitarian actors, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement are working around the clock to save lives.  I would, of course, add to that list the critical role played [by] the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, bilateral donors and regional organizations such as the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The United Nations launched the “Revised Pakistan Emergency Response Plan” to further support this vital effort.  This new appeal extends the emergency relief to six months and includes the crucial element of early recovery for the next 12 months.  I call for your urgent response.

In addition, the United Nations country team is preparing an analysis on the impact of the floods on the Millennium Development Goals, in consultation with the Government and international financial institutions.  Both the disaster needs assessment and the impact analysis will be completed by the end of October and tabled at the Pakistan Development Forum in November.

We look forward to the Government of Pakistan’s vision and a long-term strategy for rehabilitation and development with clear priorities.  The meetings of the Council of Common Interest and the creation of the National Oversight Disaster Management Council are welcome steps.

The floods in Pakistan are a global disaster, a global challenge and a global test of solidarity.  This challenge will require our continued focus and commitment to relief, recovery and reconstruction by everyone in the months ahead.  And, of course, we know this is happening in a part of the world where stability and prosperity are profoundly in the world’s interests.

The people of Pakistan are counting on the support of the international community.  Let us work to help them rebuild their communities, their livelihoods and their lives.

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For information media • not an official record