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E Asia confronts poor sanitation E Asia confronts poor sanitation
(3 days later)
Ministers and top officials from 14 East Asian countries have begun a meeting in Japan to discuss problems of poor sanitation.Ministers and top officials from 14 East Asian countries have begun a meeting in Japan to discuss problems of poor sanitation.
The organisers say almost half the population in the region lacks access to adequate sanitation.The organisers say almost half the population in the region lacks access to adequate sanitation.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people die as a result.Every year, hundreds of thousands of people die as a result.
Poor sanitation helps spread diseases that kill people. The WHO says almost 200,000 people die each year from diseases related to diarrhoea. Poor sanitation helps spread diseases that kill people. The WHO says almost two million people die each year from diseases related to diarrhoea.
Money and educationMoney and education
This gathering of ministers and officials from across East Asia is the highest-level gathering of its kind to be held in the region.This gathering of ministers and officials from across East Asia is the highest-level gathering of its kind to be held in the region.
Barbara Evans, a civil engineer who specialises in development issues, says the organisers want to make clear that what is needed is not just new facilities.Barbara Evans, a civil engineer who specialises in development issues, says the organisers want to make clear that what is needed is not just new facilities.
"Governments need to spend money on campaigns to change people's behaviour too. That is much harder," she says."Governments need to spend money on campaigns to change people's behaviour too. That is much harder," she says.
Most of East Asia is enjoying steady economic growth.Most of East Asia is enjoying steady economic growth.
Some of the poorest countries are producing the most impressive gains.Some of the poorest countries are producing the most impressive gains.
Yet hundreds of millions of the people who live in the region do not have access to a toilet.Yet hundreds of millions of the people who live in the region do not have access to a toilet.
A recent study by the World Bank found that poor sanitation acted as a drag on economic growth.A recent study by the World Bank found that poor sanitation acted as a drag on economic growth.
Problems with sanitation and hygiene in Cambodia, Indonesia the Philippines and Vietnam incurred collective losses of around $9bn (£4.36bn) a year, it said.Problems with sanitation and hygiene in Cambodia, Indonesia the Philippines and Vietnam incurred collective losses of around $9bn (£4.36bn) a year, it said.