Germany is supporting Pakistan in dealing with the consequences of the devastating flood disaster with an additional 10 million euros. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) said on Friday after talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Berlin that the federal government has already provided aid totaling 50 million euros for humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of infrastructure.
“In view of the dramatic human suffering, we are now making a further 10 million euros available for emergency care, especially for children and young people,” she added.
Baerbock: Pakistan is paying a high price
The monsoon flooded an area almost the size of Germany, said Baerbock. Many people suffered from diseases such as malaria. The flood showed the dramatic consequences of the climate crisis in all regions of the world. “As one of the world’s most affected countries, Pakistan is currently paying a heavy price for global CO2 emissions.” Germany will therefore advocate a fair distribution of climate costs at the world climate conference in Egypt in November.
Secretary of State: Catastrophe of biblical proportions
Zardari spoke of a catastrophe of biblical proportions. 33 million people are affected, 16 million of them are children, 600,000 are pregnant women. Pakistan is one of the ten countries most affected by climate change. He thanked Baerbock for the German support and at the same time called on the minister to continue to take a leading role in the fight against climate change.
Pakistan has been suffering from the worst flooding in its history since mid-June. Almost 1700 people lost their lives. In the meantime, a third of the country was under water. Countless roads, schools, hospitals and agricultural areas were destroyed.
