Ground News
Angelina Jolie Using Her Star Power to Help Pakistan Flood Victims
By Riaz Haq
CA
As the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Hollywood star Angelina Jolie is known for her international humanitarian work. A winner of multiple awards, including one Oscar and three Golden Globes, she is among the highest paid actors in the world. Jolie is currently visiting Pakistan to bring the world’s attention to the immense suffering caused by devastating floods in the country, particularly in its southern Sindh province.
Pakistan is dealing with the aftermath of the worst floods in the country's history. Over 1,500 Pakistanis are dead. About 33 million people in two the southern provinces are homeless. Sindh is inundated with 784% of normal rainfall so far this year. Balochistan has seen 522% of average rainfall. Both provinces suffered their worst ever heatwave prior to this unprecedented deluge. Nearly a million livestock have been lost, over two million acres of farmland is under water and 90% of the crops in Sindh and Balochistan have been damaged.
The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has described the unprecedented flooding in Pakistan as “a monsoon on steroids" that has created a massive humanitarian crisis. The country cannot deal with it alone. He said Pakistan "is drowning not only in floodwater, but in debt .” Mr Guterres has called for debt relief for developing nations such as Pakistan. “The Debt Service Suspension Initiative should be extended – and enhanced. We also need an effective mechanism of debt relief for developing countries – including middle income countries – in debt distress. Creditors should consider debt reduction mechanisms such as debt-climate adaptation swaps.
Climate injustice: Low emitters Global South vs Big polluters in Industrial North - Source: Prof J. Hickel
Pakistan's population is about 2.6% of the world population. The nation contributes less than 1% of global carbon emissions . It lacks the resources needed to deal with the consequences of this man-made disaster. The Industrial Revolution in Europe and the United States was fueled mainly by fossil fuels such as coal and oil believed to be responsible for climate change. The above map from Professor Jason Hickel shows that the countries in the global north are the biggest polluters while those in the global south are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
After viewing the flood disaster in Pakistan Jolie said: "I have never seen anything like this. I have been to Pakistan many times. I came because of the generosity that Pakistani people have shown to the people of Afghanistan. Oftentimes those who have less give more than so many other countries. Climate change is not only real but it's here. This is a wakeup call to the world about where we are. The countries that have not done as much damage to climate are the ones that are bearing the brunt. The needs in Pakistan are now so great. I appeal to the world to help. Many of the victims here will not make it without a lot of help."
Here are some more excerpts from her press conference in Pakistan:
"I feel overwhelmed, but I feel it is not fair to say that since I am not living this."
"I've never seen anything like this, and I have been to Pakistan many times"
"I came because of the generosity that Pakistani people have shown to people of Afghanistan over the years...My heart is very very much with the people at this time.”
"It is often seen that the countries that don't have as much give more than so many other countries"
"I am absolutely with you in pushing the international community to do more. I feel that we say that often... we speak of aid appeals, relief and support but this is something very, very different"
"Climate change is not only real, and it is not only coming, it is here,"
"I've seen the lives that were saved but I've also seen... I've been speaking to people and thinking that if enough aid doesn't come, they won't be here in next few weeks... they won't make it"
"Even if they make it next few months with the winter coming and the destruction of the crops and the hard reality ... I am overwhelmed but I feel it is not fair to say that because I am not living this, so I simply try to speak out for help. I can't even imagine what it feels like to be there"
"I will return and continue to return, and my heart is very, very much with the people at this time"
https://youtu.be/tsHpbzF_Olg
( (Riaz Haq is a Silicon Valley-based Pakistani-American analyst and writer. He blogs at www.riazhaq.com )
