VIF Neighborhood News Digest: May 1, 2020

PAKISTAN

PM Imran asks rich countries to do more for fragile economies: DAWN

As the Pakistan government stepped up diplomatic efforts for initiating consultations at the United Nations for a collective action on debt relief for developing countries, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday called on the rich countries to do more for fragile economies than just suspending debt servicing. In a telephonic conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fatteh Sisi, Mr Khan said that measures like debt suspension were helpful for struggling economies, but “more measures were needed to reboot the developing countries’ economies”. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Afghan Political Impasse May Affect Foreign Funding: EU: TOLO News

The European Union (EU) reiterated its appeal to Afghan political leaders, referring to President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah, to settle their political differences as soon as possible and focus their efforts on Afghanistan's national interests; otherwise, future aid funding might be affected. "As friends and major donors to Afghanistan, we...expressed concern that lack of progress may negatively affect future funding for the security and development of the country," said the EU mission in Kabul. Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

Coronavirus: Call for extra steps to include people with disabilities: Dhaka Tribune

Targeted measures are needed to address the disproportionate risks faced by persons with disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic, the UN human rights body has said. This need prompted the UN Human Rights Office to publish a guidance note for states and other stakeholders on Covid-19 and the human rights of persons with disabilities, reported UNB. "People with disabilities not only face greater risks from Covid-19, but also they are disproportionately affected by response measures, including lockdowns. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

COVID-19 risks inflicting long-term economic pain on Myanmar: Myanmar Times

Even before COVID-19 hit Myanmar, businesses in the commercial capital were struggling. Ko Thaw Zin, who runs his own restaurant in Yankin township, struggled with a shortfall in revenue due to dwindling tourist arrivals as well as rising costs brought about by a government move to raise electricity tariffs - a move it said would end debilitating power cuts in the country. Click here to read.... [5]

NEPAL

Stigma against health workers, patients and area locals continues in Covid-19 hotspots: The Kathmandu Post

On Sunday, a team of health workers from the Health Ministry and Epidemiology and Disease Control Division were deployed to Udayapur for contact tracing of all those who had been infected with the coronavirus. Udayapur has emerged as the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in Nepal, with 28 of a total 57 cases of the coronavirus in Nepal. Click here to read.... [6]

BHUTAN

13,006 receive the Druk Gyalpo’s Relief Kidu: Kuensel

To mark an auspicious beginning for the Druk Gyalpo’s Relief Kidu, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering yesterday deposited the relief kidu funds to the bank accounts of 108 beneficiaries. Assessments have been carried out only for 18,880 applications from all 20 dzongkhags received between April 14 and 23. Of that, 13,006 have been assessed as beneficiaries. Others are under further review. Click here to read.... [7]

SRI LANKA

Only four COVID-19 clusters active out of 31: DIG Ajith Rohana: Daily Mirror

Deputy Inspector General of Police Ajith Rohana said that out of 31 main Covid-19 clusters identified across the island, only four clusters still remain active. He said that according to the government intelligence service information, the total number of Covid-19 patients has been reported from 31 clusters, since the first Covid-19 infection was reported in Sri Lanka. "Of those 31 clusters, only 4 clusters are currently operational. Out of those 4 clusters, three clusters are on the verge of becoming inactive. Therefore, people's corporation is essential to control this situation," he said. Click here to read.... [8]

CHINA

China Knew Virus Was Contagious But Kept Silent for Days: Leaked Documents: The Epoch Times

Chinese health officials were drawing up plans to combat the CCP virus, which they knew to be infectious, days before they informed the public about its potential to spread, according to internal government documents obtained by The Epoch Times. Click here to read.... [9]

Coronavirus: China exports outlook dims as US and EU economies tank in first quarter of 2020: South China Morning Post

New economic data released by the United States and the European Union this week underscored the challenge facing China’s millions of exporters due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its major trading partners. Click here to read.... [10]