NICOLA Sturgeon's government faces calls to send further aid to the victims of Pakistan's floods as one third of the country is under water.
After being battered by monsoons, 1100 people so far are known to have died.
This includes 348 children and it is believed that a further 1600 people have been injured, with that figure expected to rise significantly.
Crops across Pakistan have also been decimated, sparking fears over widespread hunger and devastating impacts on people’s livelihoods.
On Tuesday, the SNP MP for Airdrie and Shotts said she had written to the First Minister calling for action.
The letter noted how “the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan” have been amongst the areas hit hardest by the floods.
It continued: “Scotland continues to be a world leader on climate change, with the Scottish Government already declaring a climate emergency.
“Nations such as Pakistan require our full support both financially and through progressive policy to help mitigate the impact of climate change – something I know the Scottish Government is committed to.”
"I am proud that the Scottish Government has ensured that the onus to bear the brunt of clmate emergency does not lie with the Global South, rather with the developed economies who often do not feel the impact of climate change."
One third of Pakistan is underwater. 33 million people impacted. Tonight I’ve written to First Minister @NicolaSturgeon asking what action the Scottish Government can take to help Pakistan. 👇 pic.twitter.com/sS2BvauNU9
— Anum Qaisar MP (@AnumSNP) August 30, 2022
Qaisar added: “In line with our commitments in the Climate Justice Fund, what action can the Scottish Government take to help the people of Pakistan in this time of crisis?
The Climate Justice Fund was launched in 2012 which aims to ensure that the impact of climate change does not disproportionately hit those countries who have done the least to contribute to it.
From 2022, the Scottish Government pledged to increase the fund to £36m.
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman is also calling for aid to be mobilised to help with the crisis.
She said: “This is more evidence of just how places such as Pakistan and their neighbours are on the front line of climate catastrophe.
“We now know more than 1100 people have died already in the monsoon floods, but we fear this figure will only rise horrifically in the coming days. We are told a third of the country is under water and unable to reach help.
“But as tragic as it is already, things are only likely to get worse. More rain and floods are on their way, and with temperatures hitting 40C, it is the perfect conditions for mosquitos and waterborne diseases.”
In total, around 33 million people have been impacted with 30,000 homes destroyed, sparking an emerging refugee crisis.
The Pakistani government estimates that the floods will cost $10 billion.
Chapman continued: “I will be asking the Scottish Government through its Humanitarian Emergency Fund, the UK Government and the Disasters Emergency Committee just what help can be offered to the region, including how the people of Scotland can get involved.
“Additionally, this will be a hugely worrying and heart-breaking time for the very many families here in Scotland who may have relatives in the worst affected places, and all efforts should be made to help and support them.”
She added that it down to wealthy countries to step in, but also to look at their part in causing such devastating events.
Chapman continued: “As wealthy nations like the UK continue to enable planet-killing emissions through failures over oil and gas, these are the effects.
“Climate knows no borders and neither should the help we need to give.”
As well as this, Qaisar has also called on the UK Government to increase its levels of international aid.
Whilst she welcomed the announcement of £1.5m in immediate flood relief, the MP is calling for an increase in funding to provide Pakistan with essential relief as it begins to re-construct the impacted areas.
Qaisar said: “At a time where the UK Government has taken the decision to cut levels of foreign aid spending, countries such as Pakistan are in desperate need of immediate financial assistance, as well as long term commitments to tackling the climate emergency.”
Scotland's International Development Minister Neil Gray said: "The floods in Pakistan, which have left millions of people homeless and vast swathes of the country under water, represent a devastating international emergency.
"The Scottish Government is urgently considering what action can be taken to support the relief effort."
The British High Comissioner to Pakistan Chrisitan Turner said in an interview on Tuesday: "We are considering urgently options for additional support. Those are being drawn up."
