UN chief, Pope Leo offer help to Pakistan amid rains, flash floods

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of lives caused by devastating flash floods across Pakistan and India, reaffirming the UN’s readiness to extend support if requested by the affected governments.

“The Secretary-General offers his sincere condolences to the victims’ families and stands in solidarity with those affected by this disaster,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. “We stand ready to provide assistance should it be requested,” he added.

According to initial reports, at least 323 people have lost their lives in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province alone after two days of relentless rainfall, with the nationwide death toll climbing to 657.

Guterres’ remarks come against the backdrop of his 2022 visit to Pakistan, when he personally assessed the catastrophic floods that devastated Sindh and Balochistan, underscoring the urgent need for climate resilience in vulnerable regions.

Read more: 15 dead as cloudburst wreaks havoc in KP's Swabi

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV also offered prayers for those affected by the flooding in Pakistan, India, and Nepal.

Addressing worshippers on Sunday, he expressed “closeness to the people” enduring immense suffering and prayed for the victims, their families, and those struggling in the aftermath of the calamity.

The widespread flooding has once again highlighted the growing humanitarian challenges posed by extreme weather events in South Asia, raising calls for stronger global cooperation on climate adaptation and disaster relief.