News & Trends for Donor-Advised Giving to Asia

Laos Struggling for Something More than “Least Developed”

By Charles Ostertag, Give2Asia

Landlocked and littered with nearly nine million pieces of unexploded ordnance  from the Indochina Wars, Laos faces a host of challenges in achieving its goal of exiting the list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by the year 2020. The human development figures indicate how much is yet to be done for Laos to reach its goal: the infant mortality rate stands second highest in Asia with nearly 80 deaths in every 1000 live births; 40% of children under five suffer from malnutrition; and an average of 394 people die each year from accidental detonation of dormant ordnance. Laos, however, has a more immediate date on its development itinerary than that for exiting the list of LDCs—the country also plans to join the World Trade Organization by 2010. Approaching these two distinct yet inextricably linked goals, Laos faces the paramount challenge of ensuring that human development keeps pace with economic development.

No clearly defined model has ever existed that neatly balances economic growth and social, human development. Nor does a burgeoning Lao economy, which has averaged an annual growth rate of 7.26% since 2003, ensure the enrichment of the Laotian people (an exceptionally diverse population comprising more than 70 ethnic groups). Cheap labor and the rich, untapped resources embedded within the country entice multinationals to fund development projects, such as the 1,080-megawatt Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Dam (Laos’ largest to date) and private ventures in ore mining. As the government improves the environment for trade and investment, multinational corporations and foreign investors are eagerly investing in Laos, though who will ultimately benefit from these investments is tenuous and indeterminate.

Behind the ostensibly laudable practice of national investment and trade improvements, the Lao government is borrowing heavily in this process and has earned itself a place on the list of Highly Indebted Poor Countries as well. With the Lao government planning to use the profits from hydropower and other development projects to fight poverty within the country, it remains to be seen if Laos can accomplish this goal in addition to paying off mounting debt. 

The Saffron Revolution: A Perspective One Year Later from a Burmese Activist in the U.S.

By XuanThu Pham, Give2Asia

In September 2007, Burmese Buddhist monks led a peaceful demonstration attracting over 100,000 people to protest against sharp rises in the price of food and petroleum. Without notice, the government had removed fuel subsidies, which caused the price to rise as high as 100 percent.  Food prices surged dramatically worldwide, causing economic instability and social unrest in poor and developing nations. The resulting protests and crackdown are known in Burma as the Saffron Revolution. Days after the protest, the military junta began a crackdown that focused on thousands of Buddhist monks: the military and police disrobed, beat, tortured, and even killed many of these monks. Over 4,000 monks and protesters were arrested, and today there are more than 2,000 political prisoners in Burma's prison cells.

 

Generals of the military junta exert their power through brute force with little interest in dialogue or negotiation. Burmese dissidents are either imprisoned or exiled. And in the case of Aung San Suu Kyi, a proponent of democracy, she has been under house arrest since 2003.  

Nyunt Than is the President of the Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA), a nonprofit organization led by a group of activists from the San Francisco bay area working toward democracy and human rights in Burma.  Than laments over the tragic result of the Saffron Revolution. What started out to be a peaceful, nonviolent demonstration resulted in many instances of torture, death, and arrests. But his grief does not show through anger or tears. It is evident from the determination in his voice and calm demeanor.  

Winter Puts Tens of Thousands in Danger After Baluchistan Earthquake

The October 2008 earthquake in Pakistan jolted seven districts of Baluchistan. Ziarat and Pishin have been the most affected areas with a huge human and capital loss. The 6.5 magnitude earthquake left over 275 people dead, hundreds of others injured and over 47,000 homeless.

 

As the winter season has set in and temperature is minus 3 centigrade, tents are being provided to survivors in order to protect them from the harshness of the current weather. However, they will soon need tin sheets for protection from rainfall and snowfall in coming months. Relief efforts must also provide sweaters, blankets, warm shoes, food items, drinking waters, and other basics for their survival. For more information on how you can help, please click here.

 

Below are some of the latest photos of families struggling to survive following the quake.

 

Disaster Recovery in Sichuan Province

Click to play a slideshow of recent photos from earthquake-affected areas in Sichuan Province, taken during a visit by Give2Asia trustees and staff.

With Eye Toward Helping Children, Apl Foundation Launches with November Concert

by Suzanne Toro, Apl Foundation

"All things are possible until they are proved impossible - and even the impossible may only be so, as of now." -Pearl S. Buck

Allan Pineda, also known as Apl de Ap of the Black Eyed Peas, journeyed from the Philippines to the United States to fulfill a dream for his family and for his future. He has always held a deep desire to give back to children that have similar stories like his from his homeland and throughout Asia. His vision is simply stated through the actions of giving and reminding oneself and the world that there is no separation between race, class or gender. Ultimately, Allan reminds others that all children deserve a home, food, education and healthcare. With this sentiment that Allan wears as a badge of conviction, he is committed to giving back to his homeland through his Apl Foundation Fund administered by Give2Asia.

 

With the fund being in its first year of creation and fully accepting the Apl Foundation will grow and morph into the financial means needed to support his homeland, Apl has decided on the mission and focus of the foundation for remainder of 2008 and 2009.

 

Mission: The Apl Foundation is committed to giving back to communities and children within the Philippines and throughout Asia. The foundation will start by raising funds to support immediate need projects within the Philippines. Each year Apl and his team will evaluate and select a project(s) that needs support. Each project will be provided with financial aid and awareness generated within the local and global communities. In addition, a portion of the dollars raised will be reserved for distribution to organizations supporting disaster relief in the event of natural and man made disasters impact the Philippines and other Asian communities.

 

Apl will start raising funds for his foundation on November 18, 2008 at the Vanguard in Los Angeles. The evening will be focused on bringing awareness to the issues in the Philippines and the celebration of his 34th Birthday. He has decided to share his new solo music with everyone at the party.

 

For more information, visit aplfoundation.org or apldeap.com.