UK provides necessary aid and funds as death toll continues to rise in Pakistan

Image by Arshad Arbab/EPA

The UK has stepped up to provide urgent support to Pakistan after flooding in the south of the country killed many people with the death toll having crossed 1400 as of Tuesday, 13 September. Extreme monsoon rainfall has affected millions, with their homes completely destroyed.

In response to the disaster, the UK is providing up to £1.5 million for the relief effort. The United Nations (UN) has also launched an urgent appeal, launched at the end of last month.

Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for South and Central Asia, North Africa, UN and the Commonwealth and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, said, “The floods in Pakistan have devastated local communities and the UK is providing up to £1.5 million to help the immediate aftermath. We are witnessing the catastrophe that climate change can cause and how it impacts the most vulnerable.

My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families, and I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in the relief efforts. We are also working directly with the Pakistan authorities to establish what further assistance and support they require. The UK stands with the people of Pakistan during this time of need.”

The UK is also providing assistance to Pakistan through international organisations working directly with the victims of the disaster, including some of the biggest charieties, the World Bank and the United Nations.

The £1.5 million of humanitarian funding is an allocation from existing support to Pakistan and will go to the relief efforts in the areas worst-hit by the flooding.

The UK had earlier pledged over £55 million to partner with Pakistan to fight climate change, manage water more sustainably and unlock climate investment in November 2021 during the COP26 Conference in Glasgow.