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Jordi Solé calls for more humanitarian aid in Pakistan
EFA MEP Jordi Solé intervened in plenary to discuss the aftermath of the floodings in Pakistan and the alarming signs this represents for climate change.
“This catastrophe, yet another demonstration of the terrible effects that climate change can bring, hits a country where the socio-economic situation was already very fragile.”
On the 25th of August, the Pakistan Government declared a state of emergency due to the extensive flooding in the country caused by torrential monsoons. The floods caused the death of over 1.600 people and left millions homeless and without running water.
“The scale of the summer floods in Pakistan is not easy to grasp. 1600 deaths and 33 million inhabitants affected by the most severe flooding in the country’s recent history, with around one-third of the land mass underwater and more than 7 million people in need.”
MEP Solé laid out the consequences of the floodings, causing many illnesses and diseases to vulnerable people; many provinces are still heavily flooded, leaving people isolated and uncommunicated. Jordi Solé appealed to send more humanitarian aid than the package of 30 million already proposed.
“Therefore, we in the EU should step up our efforts to help Pakistan face not only the immediate, but also the long-term consequences of such a huge disaster. We welcome the new 30 million humanitarian aid package, but we ask to go beyond that.
