WORLD THIS WEEK

Pakistan: Government declares ‘national emergency’ amid raininduced floods

What happened?

On 25 August, the government declared a 'national emergency' amid the rain-induced floods terming it a "climate-inducted humanitarian crisis of epic proportions." The floods have left 37 people dead, including 343 children, and at least 30 million without shelter. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Sindh reported the highest number of deaths as 306 people lost their lives due to floods and rain-related incidents from 14 June, while Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab recorded 234, 185 and 165 deaths, respectively.

Additionally, the NDMA reported that Pakistan received 166.8mm of rain in August, as opposed to the average of 48mm, an increase of 241 per cent. Additionally, the abnormal increase in rainfall generated flash floods across the country, particularly in the southern part of Pakistan, leaving several parts inundated, with 23 districts of Sindh being declared "calamity-hit."

During a press conference, Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman said: "Pakistan is going through its 8th cycle of monsoon; normally the country has only three to four cycles of [monsoon] rain." She added that a "war room" has been established by the prime minister at NDMA, which would lead relief operations across the country and observed that the floods are "a humanitarian disaster of unprecedented proportions."

What does it mean?

First, climate change is fuelling flooding in Pakistan. The monsoon-related flooding has become the worst type of climateinduced disaster in Pakistan. The recent incidents of flooding reveal that change in the weather cycle seems to have added to the frequency and severity of floods causing them to be more disastrous.

Second, the lack of preparedness. The high toll in causalities highlights the lack of preparedness by the relevant authorities and the government. Given that these rain-induced floodings are not a new phenomenon in Pakistan, the authorities are yet to learn from the past and implement measures to curb the situation.

Third, the follow-up on the emergency declaration. While Pakistan has taken steps to achieve SDG-13 earlier, the term climate change has not been included in the formal definition of an "emergency" under the National Climate Change Policy 2012 and the Pakistan Climate Change Act 2017. Unless this is implemented climate initiatives would not be successful.

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Taiwan: China opposes US Senator’s unofficial visit

On 25 August, China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Ma Xiaoguang opposed US Senator Marsha Blackburn’s visit to Taiwan in an unofficial capacity. He said: “These acts have seriously violated the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques.” He further warned the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan and said their efforts to collude with foreign anti-China forces are doomed to failure.

Malaysia: Najib Razak sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment

On 23 August, Former premier Najib Razak failed in his final appeal against a graft conviction and was sentenced to 12 years for misappropriating millions of dollars from a company linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The Federal Court upheld Najib’s conviction on seven counts of abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving SRC International, a company subsidiary of state fund 1MDB. He was taken to Kajang Prison, south of the capital Kuala Lumpur.

Sri Lanka: WHO and FAO to provide essential supplies

On 25 August, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, while congratulating President Ranil Wickremesinghe on the assumption of his presidency, said that the procurement of essential medical goods has already been taking place in Sri Lanka. He added that “Health Emergencies Program of the World Health Organization” will ensure the essential health needs of Sri Lanka. On 26 August, the World Food and Agriculture Organization agreed to provide urea fertilizer to low-income Sri Lankan families. Sri Lanka has been facing an acute fertilizer crisis since former President Rajapaksa announced a policy to introduce organic fertilizer. The aid from FAO will help the farmers as the Maha season is approaching.

Sri Lanka: Chinese ship departs Hambantota

On 22 August, the Chinese vessel Yuan Wang 5 arrived at the Hambantota Port. The ship had arrived at the port for replenishment. India had raised concerns regarding the ship following which Sri Lanka asked China to defer the arrival of the ship. However, on 16 August, the ship arrived at the Hambantota Port after the delay. The Yuan Wang-class are used for tracking and support of satellite and intercontinental ballistic missiles by the People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It is important to note that Yuanwang class is not a single class of identical design, but instead, a group of different designs grouped under the same series that share the one name.

Afghanistan: Reported killing of Zawahiri is an allegation, says Taliban

On 25 August, Taliban’s spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid stated that the reported killing of the al-Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri is an allegation and that the investigation has yet to be finalized. He said: “It is still at the level of allegation. The results have yet to be clarified. The body has not been found there because of the rockets that targeted the area—the area is destroyed and nothing is left of it.” Further, Mujahid criticized the US arguing that the drones flying in Afghan airspace belong to the US, adding that the Taliban considers this an aggression and the US should share these concerns.

Ukraine: 22 killed in Russian attack as Ukraine celebrates 31st independence day

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Ukraine: US grants new USD 3 billion to Ukraine on 31st Independence Day

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Europe: Worst drought in the last 500 years

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The US: Twitter and Meta take down pro-US propaganda campaign targeting Russia, China and Iran

On 26 August, a new report from Graphika and the Stanford Internet Observatory (SIO) revealed that hundreds of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts were engaged in manipulation and spam that promoted pro- Western narratives were removed by Twitter and Meta. As part of multiple covert campaigns, the troll farms were using deceptive tactics to promote pro-Western narratives to social media users in the Middle East and Central Asia. According to Graphika and SIO, the troll farms had a rather limited impact, as most of their tweets had only a handful of likes or retweets. While 19% of the covert accounts had more than 1,000 followers, the most-followed accounts were overt accounts claiming to be connected to the US military.

About the Authors:

Ankit Singh, Akriti Sharma, Harini Madhusudan and Rashmi Ramesh are PhD Scholars in the School of Conflict and Security Studies at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. Avishka Ashok, Abigail Miriam Fernandes, Padmashree Anandhan, Rishma Banerjee, Sai Pranav, Joel Jacob and Anu Maria are Research Associates at NIAS.