Social development and protection

Migrant workers are returning to Southeast Asia in large numbers as governments grapple with how best to keep them employed. Photo: Ina Carolino

COVID-19 is Sending Millions of Overseas Workers Back into Southeast Asia’s Rural Areas

With the right policies, enough jobs can be created to employ returning workers and creating the opportunity for a new era in agricultural entrepreneurship in the region.

Matthias Leitner

Civil society organizations often maintain close contacts with vulnerable populations. Photo: ADB.

Using the Flexibility of Civil Society to overcome COVID-19

The local knowledge and adaptability of civil society organizations are proving valuable during the ongoing pandemic.

Lainie Thomas, Lauren Whitehead

Safe, comfortable, and supportive care facilities will help keep Asia’s aging population healthier and happier in the years to come. Photo: Amy Elting

Asia’s Aging Population Needs a Safe, Supportive Physical Environment

The demand for affordable elderly care services exceeds supply in many parts of Asia. It needs to be addressed in a humane and sustainable way.

Jie Bai

Businesses, particularly small enterprises, and their workers, need support as Asia grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Jérémy Stenuit

Three Ways to Support Businesses and Their Workers During a Pandemic

Many workers will be displaced and many businesses will close as a result of the slowdown caused by COVID-19. Providing support to those affected gives them a fighting chance.

Paul Vandenberg, Matthias Helble

The Philippines is working to “flatten the curve” of those affected by COVID-19, with the help of a food program that will help feed thousands. Photo: ADB

Helping the Poor and Hungry to Survive the Pandemic

A new program will help provide food to thousands of poor households in the Philippines.

Ramesh Subramaniam

The poor in Asia were already dealing with major challenges even before the COVID-19 health crisis. Photo: ADB

We Need Better Social Protection to Safeguard the Poor from COVID-19

Millions of families who were already poor and vulnerable before the COVID-19 outbreak face impossible decisions about food, healthcare, and survival. We have a responsibility to act immediately and protect those most in need.

Amir Jilani

When the COVID-19 outbreak struck Asia, many Pacific islands restricted incoming air and sea traffic. Photo: Nils Grimm

In the Pacific, Urgent Action is the Key to Addressing COVID-19

Pacific nations, led by the smallest and least well-off, moved decisively to restrict travel from a fast-growing list of COVID-19 affected countries.

Emma Veve

Charting Sri Lanka's Aging Population

These charts illustrate how Sri Lanka’s elderly population is increasing while the number of working-age people to help support them is declining. Forward-thinking policies are needed to address the challenges arising from this imbalance.

Utsav Kumar