MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Ninety-one percent of Asians now have improved access to clean water. But the economic and regional divide means the richer you are, the better water supply you will likely get, and the more prepared your government is for natural disasters.
The study published Wednesday by the Asian Development Bank says countries could be disproportionally affected by the potential impact of climate change such as storms and floods if they did not rethink how they manage water. That includes Asia's rivers, nearly 80 percent of which are in poor health. Urban populations are growing and so is pollution.
Australia, Singapore and New Zealand top the list of nations best prepared to cope with floods, droughts and hurricanes. Nepal, Laos and Cambodia are the least prepared. No country is considered "water secure."