Short News – Asia
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.