Aid and development
WHO urges vigilance as COVID-19 situation in Myanmar remains “manageable”
Myanmar has seen COVID-19 confirmed cases rising to 151 with 6 deaths and 31 people recovering. Despite the increase in cases, the country has been able to trace the majority of transmission chains, maintaining that the virus spread is “manageable”, said Dr Stephan Paul Jost, World ...
JOHN LIU
Lao dam disaster: UN rights experts call for justice two years on
A group of UN experts* called on governments and relevant businesses to take immediate action to address ongoing human rights violations experienced by survivors of a tragic dam collapse in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic nearly two years ago. “Thousands of survivors lost everything and continue ...
Coronavirus is 'emboldening' Myanmar military to carry out 'war crimes' says UN human rights expert
A leading United Nations human rights expert claims the Myanmar military is carrying out “war crimes” against ethnic minorities, emboldened by special extended powers intended to help control the spread of the coronavirus. Yanghee Lee, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, accused the military ...
Rebecca Wright and Ivan Watson
ASEAN+3 urged to show solidarity to overcome COVID-19 challenges
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged ASEAN and its three partner countries show solidarity to overcome this difficult time while chairing the ASEAN+3 Special Summit on COVID-19 Response on April 14, with the the participation of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (RoK), alongside ...
VOV
Vietnam presents US$50,000 for Myanmar’s COVID-19 fight
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyễn Quốc Dũng, on behalf of Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, symbolically handed over US$50,000 as gift to the Ambassador of Myanmar to Vietnam Kyaw Soe Win to support the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at a ceremony in Hanoi on ...
China comes to the Covid-19 rescue in Laos
The Beijing-backed and financed China-Lao high-speed railway’s official inauguration was planned for December 2021, symbolically opening coincident with the 46th anniversary of the founding of communist rule in Laos. But the Covid-19 crisis has caused delays in the 414-kilometer railway’s construction, with progress on the link ...
BERTIL LINTNER
EU provides €5 million emergency cash for Myanmar garment workers
The European Union (EU) said it will provide €5 million (K7.9 billion) in cash to support garment workers in Myanmar who have been affected by COVID-19. The Myan Ku (Quick Assistance) emergency cash fund will go directly to cut, make, pack (CMP) workers who have lost ...
First Person: COVID-19 is not a silver lining for the climate, says UN Environment chief
“The global coronavirus pandemic, which has already caused unimaginable devastation and hardship, has brought our way of life to an almost complete halt. The outbreak will have profound and lasting economic and social consequences in every corner of the globe. In the face of such turmoil, as ...
Viet Nam's Economy to Remain One of the Fastest Growing in Asia Despite Sharp Slowdown Due to COVID-19
Viet Nam’s economic growth rate is expected to slow sharply in 2020, to 4.8%, from the initial supply shock to economic activity from the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the subsequent and ongoing drop in demand from Viet Nam’s principal trade and investment ...
World Bank approves $20 million to assist Cambodia fight COVID-19 pandemic
The World Bank has approved a $20 million line of credit from the International Development Association (IDA) to assist Cambodia’s COVID-19 emergency response. This is part of the banks first emergency support package dedicated to fast-track COVID-19 aid. The World Bank said, the funds will help ...
Sok Chan