The intensifying military conflict and ongoing clashes along the Shan-Karenni (Kayah) border has caused increased obstacles for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in obtain food.
A member of the local IDP committee in Pekon highlighted that the ongoing fighting in the border region has significantly hindered the delivery of donated food supplies to the IDPs in Pekon township. The closure of the transportation route for food has exacerbated obstacles to regular food delivery.
"Due to the resurgence of fighting, there are delays in the delivery of donations from generous contributors. While some items sent by WFP do manage to arrive, not all of them reach us. The aid doesn't directly reach the hands of the IDPs. Donors have not visited us this month. In the preceding month, we received one pyi of rice per household. Presently Mobye is being given higher priority," shared a committee member.
The IDPs are reliant on the Mobye road for purchasing and transporting food, but their access to this route has been restricted. Consequently, they are compelled to take alternative routes and pass through PNO checkpoints, which is hindering their ability to transport essential medicine and food supplies.
"The Mobye route is inaccessible, preventing us from purchasing food. Instead, we must navigate an alternate path, where PNO checkpoints are stationed. They levy a fee of 500 kyats for each motorcycle passing through, and if we transport gasoline, they impose an additional charge per barrel. However, we're prohibited from transporting rice at all," added the committee member.
Being prohibited from transporting rice through these checkpoints, they are compelled to resort to illegal means for carrying it. Presently they are facing the burden of paying 84,000 Kyats for a 24-pyi bag of Shwe At rice.
Furthermore, the western region of Pekon Township is accommodating approximately 6,000 IDPs, and reportedly, the monthly requirement for rice among the IDPs is estimated at 200 bags.
"Our current struggles primarily revolve around obtaining sufficient rice and edible oil. The IDPs are cultivating vegetables themselves at the hill-base farm, ensuring easy availability for consumption. However, we haven't received any visits from donors this month. Their immediate priority is addressing the situation in Mobye," added an IDP in conversation with SHAN.
