UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has appealed to the world to help Pakistan as he arrived in the country on Friday to assess the devastation caused by months of floods that have left half a million people living in tents.
Mr Guterres's trip comes less than two weeks after he appealed for $160 million in emergency funding to assist Pakistanis affected by the monsoon rains and floods that have caused at least $10 billion in damages and killed 1,391 people.
International aid is arriving, including the first planeload of aid from the US, which pledged $30m in assistance.
“I have arrived in Pakistan to express my deep solidarity with the Pakistani people after the devastating floods here,” Mr Guterres said. “I appeal for massive support from the international community as Pakistan responds to this climate catastrophe,” he said on Twitter.”
Last week, the UN chief issued a stern warning about the effects of climate change.
“Let’s stop sleepwalking toward the destruction of our planet by climate change,” he said in a video message at the time. “Today, it is Pakistan. Tomorrow, it could be your country.”
Pakistan’s Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb thanked the UN chief for visiting the country at a time when, she said, one third of Pakistan was underwater. She said she wanted the visit to help to elevate the crisis for flood victims at a global level.
“The visit will also help in realising the consequences of the deadly effects of climate change,” she said.
Ms Aurangzeb urged the international community to step up efforts to help poor countries affected by floods and natural disasters.
Mr Guterres will be briefed by Pakistani officials about the flood damage before addressing a news conference with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Friday, she said.
So far, UN agencies and several countries have sent about 60 planeloads of aid. Authorities said the UAE was one of the most generous contributors, having sent 26 planes carrying aid for flood victims.
The US said it would provide $30 million in assistance to help flood victims.
The floods have affected more than 3.3 million people across Pakistan.
Heritages sites have also been damaged, including Mohenjo Daro, a Unesco World Heritage Site considered one of the best-preserved ancient urban settlements in southern Asia.
The ruins near the Indus River were discovered in 1922 and to this day, mystery surrounds the disappearance of a civilisation dating back 4,500 years to around the same time as ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
The UN heritage agency announced an emergency amount of $350,000 on Thursday to help flood-damaged cultural heritage sites to recover.
Mr Guterres was received on his arrival by Deputy Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and is expected to meet Mr Sharif and other government and military officials.
Before the UN chief’s arrival, Mr Sharif told a visiting American diplomat that the world should step up its fight against climate change to avoid more deadly flooding.
Derek Chollet, a senior State Department official, was visiting Islamabad to assess the damage and arrange aid. Mr Chollet said the US would stand by Pakistan and help it rebuild.
The first American plane carrying aid is set to arrive in the country on Friday, according to Pakistan officials, who said Washington was setting up a humanitarian aid air bridge to deliver much-needed relief for flood victims.
Since June, heavy rains and floods have added new burdens to cash-strapped Pakistan and highlighted the disproportionate effect of climate change on impoverished populations.
Pakistan is responsible for only 0.4 per cent of the world’s historic emissions responsible for climate change, experts have said. The US is responsible for 21.5 per cent, China for 16.5 per cent and the EU 15 per cent.
The floods in Pakistan have also injured 12,722 people, destroyed thousands of kilometres of roads, toppled bridges and damaged schools and hospitals, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.
RESULTS
Argentina 4 Haiti 0
Peru 2 Scotland 0
Panama 0 Northern Ireland 0
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
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Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
The years Ramadan fell in May
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
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Company: Justmop.com
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Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
Chinese Grand Prix schedule (in UAE time)
Friday: First practice - 6am; Second practice - 10am
Saturday: Final practice - 7am; Qualifying - 10am
Sunday: Chinese Grand Prix - 10.10am
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Key facilities
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
RESULTS
6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
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7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko
7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
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20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara
9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
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In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
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Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
