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Tuesday 30 August 2022

Nonsense on steroids



UN appeals for $160m in emergency funding after Pakistani floods

Pakistan has been devastated by flooding in recent days, with more than 1,150 people killed and nearly half a million people displaced.

"Pakistan is awash in suffering," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video message for the launch of the appeal.

"The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids… people's hopes and dreams have washed away."


A desperate situation, but absurdly flowery language from a career bureaucrat doesn't help. Guterres has form in this respect.

The United Nations secretary general, António Guterres, issued a dire warning on Monday to representatives from 40 countries at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, calling for more concrete action to tackle what he called a “climate emergency.”

“We have a choice,” Mr. Guterres said in a video message. “Collective action or collective suicide. It is in our hands.”

3 comments:

Sam Vega said...

Collective action or collective suicide?

He really wants to be in charge of something, doesn't he! I wonder what he would do if the delegates said they liked the sound of collective suicide, and tasked him with drawing up a feasibility study and a fully costed plan...

Anonymous said...

Having had a neice in Telford being 'helped' by Pakistani men, I would like to offer the men of Pakistan the same courtesy, in the form of advice.
"Don't inhale when underwater" . On the other hand, why not give it a go?
Penseivat

A K Haart said...

Sam - good idea. Somehow, I think his feasibility study and plan would take a very long time.

Penseivat - yes, my sympathy is rather muted.