Listings starting with R

Service delivery in Papua New Guinea is expensive and logistically difficult because of a combination of topography, governance and economic capacity.  The health sector is of particular concern as HIV prevalence is highest in the region, immunisation rates have stagnated, infant and maternal care services are limited and preventable diseases such as measles, pneumonia and diarrhoea cause extensive morbidity and mortality.

During the dry season many thousands of Bangladesh’s ‘extreme poor’ live on chars (sand islands) that are washed away each year when the monsoonal rains come.  The low-lying terrain means that up to one quarter of the country suffers severe flooding from swollen rivers and sea level rise. Whilst jeopardising the safety of residents (especially women and children), rising floodwaters cause great loss of homes and harvests.

Having suffered recent civil unrest, Timor-Leste remains fragile and in need of long term developmental support.  Public services are weak and economic capacity is low, particularly in isolated regions including the Oecussi enclave, Suai, Los Palos, Viqueque and Atauro Island.  Communicable diseases like malaria, diarrhoea and respiratory infections are highly prevalent and health risks are exacerbated by contaminated water and inadequate sanitation.

Out of a context of tension, torture, trauma and treason the fragile state of South Sudan was conceived in 2011. Ongoing warfare has severely stunted development as its economy is one of the world’s weakest, maternal mortality is one of the world’s highest and infrastructure is inadequate at best.

Ethnic tension is rampant in Burma.  Skewed spending on defence has stagnated economic growth and development indicators are ubiquitously dubious.  The government refuses basic services to some minorities and the military targets them in ruthless bouts of conflict.  An epidemic of statelessness has emerged whereby many Burmese are internally displaced or have taken refuge in neighbouring countries.

In the hilltop highlands of Nepal’s North East, locals live a traditional subsistence existence.  Village life is built around small scale farming and yak grazing with some young men finding employment as Sherpas in mountaineering tourism.