UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property from devastating floods in Pakistan, saying the disaster underscored the impact of climate change.
Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said the floods, triggered by heavy monsoon rains worsened by climate change, had affected some 1.5 million people. He said more than 3,000 homes, over 400 schools and around 40 health facilities had been damaged, leaving hundreds of thousands in need of urgent aid.
I’m profoundly saddened by the floods in Pakistan.
Caused by a severe monsoon exacerbated by climate change, the disaster has affected some 1.5 million people.
I express my deep solidarity with the people and government of Pakistan and offer my sincere condolences to the…
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 4, 2025
Guterres praised Pakistani authorities for relocating more than one million people in Punjab. He conveyed “heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives, and wishes a swift recovery to those who have been injured,” the spokesman said.
The UN and its partners are working with Pakistani officials to assess humanitarian needs and address gaps in the response, Dujarric added.
Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has released $600,000 from the Regional Humanitarian Pooled Fund to support relief and recovery efforts. Talks are underway with Islamabad on a wider response plan.
Earlier on Tuesday, European Union High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas called Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to convey condolences over the loss of life in Pakistan’s recent floods
Kallas expressed solidarity with the victims and their families, and affirmed the EU’s commitment to support Pakistan’s relief and recovery efforts. “The EU stands with Pakistan in this difficult time,” she said, according to a statement released after the call.
Dar thanked the EU official for her message of support and highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters. He said the country was among those “most severely impacted by the climate crisis.”
Both sides noted what they described as growing momentum in Pakistan-EU relations and reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen cooperation, particularly in climate action, resilience building and sustainable recovery.
Read More: EU extends Rs350 million emergency aid for flood victims
The European Union (EU) has also announced Rs350 million (€1.05 million) emergency assistance to support victims of devastating floods in Pakistan that have claimed hundreds of lives and left thousands displaced and many missing.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims and all those affected by this disaster,” the EU said in a statement on Tuesday.
The package includes life-saving health services, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support to prevent outbreaks of disease, and cash assistance for the most vulnerable families to cover basic needs. However, the funding would be channelled through humanitarian partner organisations.
