[Asia Round-up] Asia accounts for two thirds of modern slavery

(Photo : AP/NEWSis)

The recently released Global Slavery Index conducted by Walk Free Foundation reveals that there are an estimated 29.8 million people enslaved worldwide. India, China, and Pakistan enslave the highest number of people while Mauritania has the highest prevalence. Out of 22 million people enslaved in the index’s top 10 countries, over 20 million are from Asia. The index measures 162 countries and studies the prevalence of slavery and the estimated numbers. The index is based on internationally affirmed definitions of slavery that include forced labor, debt bondage, human trafficking, forced marriage and child exploitation.

(Photo : Xinhua/NEWSis)

Vietnamese coming up short against Southeast Asian peers

A recent survey shows that the average height of Vietnamese men aged between 22~26 is 164.2 cm and 153.4 cm for women in the same age group. Compared with the same groups in South Korea, Japan, Thailand, China and others in South East Asia, the Vietnamese are considered the shortest. Despite economic growth in the last decade, the average height of Vietnamese people has only increased by 4 cm. Malnutrition was a chronic problem for many decades, so it will take time for this to improve, experts explain. Between the age of 2~3, nutrition becomes a bigger factor in affecting the child’s future height. If the country adopts proper means of intervention for 20 years, the average height of Vietnamese will reach the current height of South Korean people.
Viet Nam News, Vietnam

(Photo : Xinhua/NEWSis)

The worst devastation

The super typhoon Haiyan is considered the most destructive natural calamity ever in Philippines’ history. Given the unprecedented scale and force of the devastation, no preparation could have been sufficient. The real factors behind the terrible loss of life, tentatively estimated 10,000, and massive destruction of infrastructure must be determined. The vulnerability of the communication system can be explained by the country’s heavy dependence on mobile telephone services. Now the main task is to quickly create the conditions that will allow government, private and international donor resources to affect relief operations in all affected areas.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippines