Whether the state is doing enough or has done enough to avert flooding has been a major topic of discussion in relation to the recent monsoon rains. Do we require additional dams? Are the nation’s warning and rescue mechanisms adequate? Why are there so many structures in flood zones, and what will we do to help the victims get back on their feet? It is simple to assume that Pakistan is the only nation dealing with this issue. It’s not. In actuality, it is a victim of a worldwide phenomena that it had little to do with. In light of this, the deputy prime minister/foreign minister’s recent reminder to everyone that “Pakistan remains among the top 10 countries most severely affected by climate change, even though it contributes less than 1% of global emissions,” was prophetic.

In addition, Foreign Minister Dar bemoaned the fact that structural flaws in the international goals and financial system are escalating global inequality and undermining the country’s development goals, stating that the recent floods have caused enormous human and economic losses and represent a significant obstacle to the nation’s recent progress in sustainable development. This is how the current crisis should be framed. The fact that the nation is drowning during the third-hottest August on record is no accident, and whether or not there have been local shortcomings, Pakistan cannot handle this issue on its own. This is not to suggest that local leaders won’t be responsible for the majority of the efforts to stop this monsoon from happening again next year and in the years to come.  The government is ultimately responsible for the 4,355 villages that were drowned and the roughly 4.2 million people who were impacted by the flooding, regardless of all the rhetoric about how unjust climate change is and the absence of climate reparations. 

Only the state can restore what has been destroyed, and the people simply have no one else to turn to. This does not, however, imply that the rest of the world—especially the developed world—cannot assist. In fact, wealthy nations have an obligation to do so as they are responsible for the majority of the emissions that contribute to the increased heat and rainfall. It is inexcusable that they not only appear uninterested in providing the kind of climate assistance and reparations that nations like Pakistan and the rest of the Global South require, but that they are actively pushing emissions higher. In the meantime, the harm to Pakistan keeps becoming worse. As of this writing, India has caused another freshwater spill into the Sutlej River, affecting about 65,000 people and completely or partially submerging at least 76 towns.

The fact that the country experienced an 11% increase in rainfall in August while simultaneously experiencing sporadic water surges from the east seems to have made this monsoon especially challenging. For a developing nation undergoing an economic reset to survive, this is just too much. It is not to be laughed at that despite the pandemonium, the authorities have been able to relocate at least 2.1 million humans and 1.5 million animals to secure areas. Investment will be needed for long-term preventative measures like dams, more intelligent urban design, and a move toward infrastructure and agriculture that are more climate resilient. A nation that is just over a year away from a possible default will not be able to raise that amount of money on its own. We need and deserve international assistance.