Despite the impressive progress made by Asia-Pacific nations over the past decade in economic growth, 1.5 billion people in the region still live on less than two U.S. dollars a day, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Thursday.

The statement was made as ADB representatives are highlighting the continuing prevalence of poverty in the region during discussions over the replenishment of the Asian Development Fund, an endowment used to provide grants and low-interest loans to some of Asia and the Pacific’s poorest nations.

News that the fourth fatality of Tuesday night’s (Nov 13) bomb attack on the Philippines House Representatives was local GCAP Philippines activist Julasiri “Niki” Hayudini, has been met with shock and condemnation worldwide.

Julasiri “Niki” Hayudini, 49, was Vice President of the Assalam Bangsamoro People’s Association, a local non-governmental organization active in the GCAP-Philippines coalition. He was an aide and close friend of Representative Wahab Akbar, who was also killed in the blast.