Local Karenni (Kayah) ethnic communities are worried about the ongoing food shortages in Karenni State, primarily caused by the regime’s policy to blocking the flow of essential goods and food intended for IDPs (war-displaced individuals) according to U Banyar, a member of The Interim Executive Council of Karenni State (IEC).
The daily clashes in the region, coupled with the restrictions imposed by the Military Council, have created great obstacles preventing essential supplies from reaching those who are in urgent need.
U Banyar told Kantarawaddy Times, "The situation will gradually worsen. Food transportation is being limited, and the available stockpiles are depleting rapidly. International support has not met expectations, and UN (United Nations) agencies are facing severe limitations in their ability to assist. I believe that the situation will deteriorate further in the upcoming months”.
In Karenni State, a prominent hotspot marked by intense resistance against the Military Council since the coup, rice cultivation has witnessed a substantial decline, and the rice reserves held by local communities are nearly depleted.
As clashes continue in Karenni State, a significant number of war-displaced individuals are seeking refuge in Loikaw Township, which is currently under Military Council control and relatively stable. The influx of refugees has risen by tens of thousands, prompting UN agencies to step in and provide the necessary food support.
However, it is important to note that UN agencies can only offer assistance in areas under the control of the Military Council. Unfortunately they are still not providing support to over 200,000 war-displaced individuals who have sought shelter in villages and jungle areas throughout Karenni State, U Banyar pointed out.
The significant reduction in the flow of goods has forced up prices in the region. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult for the majority of people at the grassroots level to afford basic food items.
The price of rice, the staple food for daily sustenance, has surged from 80,000 to over 100,000 kyat per bag currently.
Mobye (Mongpai), a crucial trade hub for the entire Karenni State, is currently facing challenges due to the presence of the Military Council stationed along Union Road. This has significantly hindered trade flows in the region, locals said.
Additionally, the recent conflicts along the `-Leiktho-Yado route have further disrupted the flow of goods, resulting in a complete standstill. This has exacerbated the difficulties faced by war-displaced individuals in accessing food supplies, according to U Pho Zaw, a local aid worker.
"The food transportation route along Taungoo-Leiktho-Yado has been restricted for the past three months, and the situation has deteriorated further due to recent escalations in fighting. With an increasing deployment of troops along the route, the restrictions have become more stringent, effectively closing off the rice import route. The local population's rice cultivation and stockpiles are already at critically low levels, and they are expected to run out soon. For the time being we rely on rice imported from Taungoo. If the fighting intensifies, the scarcity of rice could reach even higher levels, greatly harming the welfare of war-displaced individuals”, he warned.
The Karenni Human Rights Group (KnHRG) reports that over 200,000 Karenni ethnic individuals have been displaced from their homes as a result of the conflicts that have taken place following the coup.
