Standing before world leaders in New York, Pakistan’s new prime minister used the U.N. stage to warn that floods tied to climate change are putting more than 33 million people at risk. Shehbaz Sharif urged urgent support for rebuilding and adaptation, framing the crisis as a test of global responsibility for a country that emits a tiny share of greenhouse gases.
His appeal came as Pakistan enters another monsoon season with damaged infrastructure, strained finances, and millions still vulnerable. The message was clear: without faster funding and fairer terms, recovery will stall and future disasters will hit harder.
A Warning From Pakistan
Sharif opened with a stark image of families uprooted by water that arrived faster than the state could respond. He said the floods had erased homes, schools, and harvests, turning “development into debris.” He linked the damage to a changing climate and called for action that matches the scale of the threat.
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He then described the toll across the south and west, where river overflows and hill torrents cut off towns and washed away roads. He praised local responders but said they could not bridge the gap without outside help, especially as new rains approach.
The Scale Of The Disaster
Pakistan’s 2022 monsoon floods were among the country’s worst. Officials reported more than 1,700 deaths and damage estimated near $30 billion. Entire districts were inundated. Health systems bent under outbreaks of waterborne disease. Schools closed for weeks, and millions lost income.
The farm sector was hit hard. Authorities cited the loss of several million acres of crops, including cotton and rice. Livestock losses deepened rural poverty. Many roads and bridges remain under repair, slowing trade and aid.
Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global emissions. Yet it sits on the front line of warming trends, from heavier monsoon bursts to faster glacial melt. Scientists warn that such extremes are likely to grow more frequent.
What Islamabad Is Asking For
The prime minister called for faster, simpler access to climate finance and for support that arrives as grants or low-cost loans, not burdens that add to debt. He said Pakistan needs both short-term relief and long-term investment.
- Funding to rebuild climate-resilient homes, schools, and clinics.
- Stronger flood defenses, dams, and drainage.
- Early-warning systems and data to guide local planning.
- Support for farmers to restore soil, seeds, and livestock.
- Access to the global “loss and damage” fund once it becomes operational.
He also pointed to energy and fiscal reforms already underway under international programs. He argued that climate finance should align with those plans instead of competing with them.
Support And Skepticism
Donors pledged billions after the floods, and some projects have started. U.N. agencies coordinated shelter, food, and health services in the months that followed. Private charities stepped in where roads were impassable.
But there is skepticism. Aid groups cite donor fatigue. Economists warn of slow disbursement, complex paperwork, and rising borrowing costs. Governance critics inside Pakistan say transparency is a concern and want public tracking of every rupee.
Sharif acknowledged the trust gap and said Islamabad would set clear targets and audits. He argued that climate-hit countries should not have to choose between paying creditors and protecting citizens from the next storm.
What To Watch
Pakistan’s recovery hinges on the speed of pledged funds and on reforms that keep projects on schedule. The coming monsoon will test new dikes, restored roads, and evacuation plans.
Global talks on the loss and damage fund remain a key variable. If the fund moves from pledges to payments with simple rules, Pakistan could jump-start stalled reconstruction. If not, communities in Sindh and Balochistan may face another season with temporary shelters and unsafe water.
For now, the prime minister’s plea places the issue back on the global agenda. The stakes are high for a nation still drying out while bracing for more rain. The question is whether promises will turn into action before the rivers rise again.
