A concerned resident from Sittwe Township highlighted that unscrupulous individuals are taking advantage of the cyclone by significantly raising the prices of food and goods, almost doubling them compared to normal. This exploitative practice is causing immense difficulties for the residents.
"Amidst the storm, there has been a significant surge in the prices of essential goods. Previously, a 20-liter bottle of clean water cost only 600 kyats, but now it has skyrocketed to 1,500 kyats, making it extremely challenging for people. It is disheartening that prices are being increased, profits made at a time when people are suffering from the devastating storm. This should not be allowed to happen," said a local.
Cyclone Mocha hit several townships in Rakhine State, including Sittwe, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk U, and Minbya, on May 14. It caused extensive damage to homes, schools, hospitals, and religious buildings. The affected people are in desperate need of immediate emergency assistance.
A woman from Mrauk U Township raised concern over the skyrocketing prices of essential food items, as well as house building materials and fuel. She emphasized the urgent need for the relevant authorities to address this critical issue.
"When people are facing hardships, it is disheartening to see unscrupulous individuals taking advantage and selling products at excessively high prices. It is important for the authorities to take effective measures against such practices. At present everyone is dealing with their own challenges and difficulties. It is truly saddening to witness the sale of essential products at such inflated prices during such a critical time,” she said.
There is a widespread demand that the authorities must take action to address the problem of excessively high prices for essential goods, including basic food, in the storm-affected townships of Rakhine State.
The demand for building materials to reconstruct storm-damaged homes has led to a rush among buyers, causing shortages and significant price hikes in the market.
When DMG contacted U Hla Thein, the Rakhine State spokesman of the Military Council and the State Attorney General, to inquire about plans to address the escalating commodity prices, the phone call abruptly ended as he was reportedly in a meeting.
The Arakan Army (AA) has issued a plea to traders selling essential food and other goods in the aftermath of the storm, urging them not to exploit the situation by raising prices, when people are already facing difficulties.
In his address to the public on May 16 regarding post-cyclone emergency relief operations, Arakan Army (AA) Commander-in-Chief General Twan Mrat Naing emphatically expressed, "We strongly urge traders involved in the sale of essential food and other goods to refrain from exploiting this difficult period by excessively raising prices."
On May 15, the United League of Arakan (ULA) made an announcement stating that the storm-affected people in Rakhine are encountering severe challenges related to food and medical supplies. The situation is exacerbated by the disruption of telephone and internet services as well as road communication, leading to a lack of adequate assistance reaching the affected areas.
Cyclone Mocha struck Rakhine State, causing the deaths of hundreds of people. Many others
are still missing, and numerous homes and buildings have been destroyed.
