Short News – Asia
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.
Better protection for coral reef
The French pacific island of New Caledonia is to establish a protected area for 28,000 kilometres of its most pristine coral reefs.
No more bags in New Zealand
New Zealand is to become country number 15 to ban single-use plastic bags. The ban is expected to decrease the annual number of bags by 750 million from 2019.
Vietnam close to toilets for all
Back in 2000, more than 17 percent of Vietnamese had to defecate outside. Today, less than four percent still resort to open defecation.
Cooperation to take out the trash
Indonesia and Denmark have begun to cooperate to help Indonesia improve waste handling, recycling, and responsible incineration.
More forest in Pakistan
Pakistan’s new president has vowed to continue the nation’s reforestation project. The ambition is to plan ten billion more trees.
Nepal on the rise
Last year, Nepal’s economy grew by 7.5%. The growth is due to construction efforts after the 2015 earthquake, a good monsoon, and trade with India.
Better education in Asia
In East Asia and the Middle East, many people now get a higher education than their parents. This fights poverty, reduces inequality, and even boosts growth.
Better nutrition in East Asia
In East Asia and the Pacific, the number of children under the age of 5 suffering from malnutrition has decreased from 75 million to 20 million since 1990.
South India bans disposable plastic
The South Indian state Tamil Nadu bans a range of disposable plastic from next year. The area is very affected by plastic clogging up drains.