London's Pakistani communities make up nearly 20 per cent of Britain's Pakistani population.
The London Assembly has acknowledged the unprecedented humanitarian crisis after weeks of catastrophic and deadly flooding which has displaced more than 33 million people.
Today the Assembly has called on the Mayor to write to the Prime Minister urging them to take strong action to further support the emergency response through additional short and long-term aid.
Zack Polanski AM, who proposed the motion, said:
"It is heartbreaking to see the impact that flooding has had on Pakistan, where so many displaced people are living on the roadside without shelter, food, or clean drinking water and where many lives are continuously lost.
"This is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and is the direct impact of climate breakdown in action - a huge injustice when Pakistan contributes less than one per cent of global greenhouse gases.
"It is important that the Assembly shows solidarity with the people of Pakistan, as London is proudly home to nearly 20 per cent of Britain's Pakistani population. It is also crucial that the Government take strong action to help more than 33 million people who have had their homes and their businesses destroyed, by committing to additional short and long-term aid."
Sakina Sheikh AM, who seconded the motion, said:
"What we are seeing in Pakistan right now is a humanitarian crisis on an unprecedented scale. It is devastating to see the millions of people displaced and left destitute. We must stand in solidarity with those in Pakistan, as well London's Pakistani communities who are watching this horror unfold.
"These floods are a direct consequence of the climate crisis which is disproportionately impacting the world's countries who have the lowest carbon footprint. These floods should be a wake-up call that more urgent global action is needed to cut carbon emissions, especially by countries who have greater climate responsibilities due to their higher emissions.
"Our Government is providing important flood relief but we can afford to give more.
"This is why we are calling on the Mayor to lobby the new Prime Minister to pledge a significantly larger package of aid to help the people of Pakistan through this dark time. This will be important in both the short-term and in supporting the country to become more resilient to the effects of climate change in the long-term".
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly stands united in solidarity with the people of Pakistan who are facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis after weeks of catastrophic and deadly flooding. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the more than 33 million people who have been displaced, with homes and businesses destroyed and many lives lost. We recognise the horror and distress that must be felt by our friends and neighbours in London's Pakistani communities, who make up nearly 20 per cent of Britain's Pakistani population.
This Assembly recognises and thanks the Government for the allocation of £16.5 million in aid to address the crisis and believes that more can be done to address the injustice in a country which contributes less than one per cent of global greenhouse gases yet is subject to the most extreme consequences of climate breakdown.
The Assembly calls on the Mayor of London to write separately to the new Prime Minister Liz Truss and the relevant Minister, urging them to take strong action to further support the emergency response through additional short and long-term aid.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Zack Polanski AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 07887 832 918. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.