World Bank fears damage to Asia
WASHINGTON: The World Bank is estimating that the outbreak will cause economic growth to slow significantly this year in China and other East Asian-pacific countries, throwing millions into poverty. Under a worse-case scenario, the region could suffer its sharpest downturn since a devastating currency crisis more than two decades ago, the bank said in an updated forecast released Monday.
The bank’s report projects that growth in the region would slow to 2.1% this year from 5.8% in 2019 under a “baseline” forecast in which economic recovery takes hold this summer.
More than 11 million people could fall into poverty in the region under the worse-case scenario, the bank estimates. That’s in stark contrast to its earlier forecast that growth would be sufficient this year to lift 35 million people out of poverty.
WHO WARNS `FAR FROM OVER’ IN ASIA, PACIFIC
JAKARTA:THE World Health Organization (WHO) warns that while attention has shifted to epicenters in Western Europe and North America, Covid-19 epidemics are “far from over” in Asia and the Pacific.
Urging governments at all levels in the region to stay engaged in efforts to combat the virus, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, Takeshi Kasai says, “This is going to be a longterm battle and we cannot let down our guard. We need every country to keep responding according to their local situation.” He said the WHO realises there is no one-size-fits-all approach but there are common tactics.
From Palau to Antarctic bases, here’s a look at the farthest parts of the world where the coronavirus is yet to reach n
THE LUCKIER ONES
Palau, a coronavirus-free tropical island nestled in the northern Pacific, may seem the perfect place to ride out the pandemic. The microstate of 18,000 people is among a dwindling number of places on Earth that still report zero cases. The disparate group also includes Samoa, Turkmenistan, North Korea and bases on the frozen continent of Antarctica
ISLANDS OF SAFETY
Like Palau, there are several islands that are surrounded by oceans, which have acted as a buffer against the virus. Infections have literally been kept at bay in a number of nations including Tonga, the Solomons Islands, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia. But then islands depend heavily on goods being shipped or flown in, meaning supplies can quickly run low if the isolation continues
WHAT’S UP IN NORTH KOREA? ANTARCTIC SECLUSION
Down south, inside Australia's four remote Antarctic research bases, around 90 people have found themselves ensconced on the only virus-free continent as they watch their old home transform beyond recognition. It seems there is no need for social distancing in the tundra. The bases are now isolated until November, so the group is safe.
At least as of now