Nyheder – Asia

End of malaria in China: Malaria was once a huge problem in China, but since 2016 there have been no new cases. The change follows decades of fighting the disease.

Chinese electric bus boom: Every fifth week, China adds another 9,500 electric buses. Chinese buses now save more than three times more oil than the rest of the world’s electric vehicles.

Electric boom in Sri Lanka: The number of electric and hybrid cars in Sri Lanka’s active fleet grew 10 times between 2013 to mid-2018, with 150,000 such vehicles now on the streets.

Children vaccinated in warzone: Despite the civil war, 11.6 million children in Yemen have been successfully vaccinated against measles and rubella.

Pakistan pushes back polio: The number of polio cases in Pakistan has dropped by 96 percent in just four years. Last year, the country had 18 cases of the paralysing disease.

Poverty has decreased in Bangladesh: In 2000, 34.8% of people in Bangladesh were extremely poor, but today the share has decreased to 14.8%. However, most people in Bangladesh stil live on a very modest income.

Sanitation saves thousands of lives: India is fighting dangerous infections by building more toilets. According to the WHO, access to sanitation has increased from 40 % to 90 % in just four years.

Fish snacks help children survive: Cambodia has developed a nutritious fish snack to treat undernourished children. The snack was created in partnership with Copenhagen University and UNICEF.

Cow poo powered buses: Pakistan’s biggest city, Karachi, will next year introduce buses that run on ‘brown energy’: biogas from the dung produced by the city’s 400,000 dairy cows.

Indians to get internet from space: With the launch of its new satellite, GSAT-11, India aims to provide internet access even in regions such as mountains and remote islands.

Fully electric bus line in Taipei: Taipei has opened its first fully electrical bus line. Each bus has solar panels on top, and the engines are made by Danish company Danfoss Editron.

Vietnam defeats disfiguring disease: The disfiguring disease elephantiasis, which makes limbs swell and can cause permanent disability, has been eliminated in Vietnam.

The two Koreas remove landmines: North and South Korea have begun removing all landmines on a part of the 250 km border. The mines are to be removed within 20 days.

Rohingya refugees plant trees: Refugees have planted more than 45,000 trees with Bangladeshi locals and UN agencies. The aim is to plant a further 36,500 trees in the coming weeks.

Better sanitation in Indian schools: While some are still lacking in hygiene, almost all Indian schools now have some combination of clean water, toilets, and hand washing facilities.

Bangladesh doubles forest sanctuary: The size of the sanctuary which made up 23% of the world’s largest mangrove forest, Sundarbans, has been doubled. Now it makes up more than 50% of the forest.

Afghanistan fights measles: The Afghan government has begun immunising 13.8 million Afghan children against measles, in a partnership with the WHO and the Gavi Vaccine Alliance.

Better food for kids in Indonesia: Indonesia is improving the nutrition of 48 million infants and pregnant women. Better nutrition means healthier and more intelligent children.

Megacity in plastic ban: The Indian megacity of Mumbai has banned plastic bags to help clean up the piles of trash on the city’s streets and beaches.

More soap and water in Afghanistan: Five districts in Afghanistan have improved hygiene by building toilets and teaching people to wash their hands. Fewer now fall sick.