Local communities and displaced people (IDPs) sheltering in Demoso Township, Karenni State are struggling with rising rice prices, according to aid workers assisting the IDPs.
The Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC), a provisional Karenni State government established by Karenni resistance groups, announced that 10,867 hectares of paddy fields and other agricultural land were destroyed by floods in Karenni State, in September, leading to a rice shortage and a subsequent rise in prices.
Flood damage to infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, has also severely disrupted the distribution of goods in the region, leading to excessive price hikes and major challenges for the residents and IDPs in Demoso Township.
U Zaw Min Htike, a member of the local social aid group Kyay Lat Myay, explained that rising commodity prices, including for rice, have limited his group and others' ability to provide food to IDPs, which has led to them suffering even more.
He said "The amount of money that could previously buy about 8 pyis [about 20.5 litres] of rice for each IDP household now only covers 4 to 5 pyis [about 10.25 to 12.8 litres] due to price surges. While we aimed to donate an average of at least 6 pyis [about 15.35 litres] of rice per household, we are now struggling to provide even 4 pyis for each family.”
The rising prices have forced some IDPs and local families in Demoso Township to reduce the amount of food they eat, according to a Demoso Township resident.
She said to NMG: “Rice is the most important staple food for every family here. However, floods have submerged the paddy fields, causing a spike in rice prices. As prices rise, some families can no longer afford to buy enough rice and are forced to rely on their existing supplies, leading them to implement measures to reduce their daily rice consumption.”
U Zaw Min Htike said: “In Demoso, prices for nearly all goods have risen. For instance, the price of a bag of rice has increased by around 20,000 MMK. A bag that once cost 83,000 MMK now sells for 102,000 MMK, and in some places, the price has climbed to 105,000 MMK.”
