Power cuts and decline in charitably supports making water shortages more severe

March 29, 2022

HURFOM: As summer approaches, access to drinking water is coming under increasing threat in Mon State. In addition, frequent power cuts and a decline in the number of charity groups providing drinking water is making a bad situation much worse.

“We are facing a water shortage problem, and power cuts are happening for half a day or nearly the whole day. Before the coup, there were many charity groups providing drinking water. But this year is different — we see no help. Some members of charity groups have to stay in hiding from the military, while some are being arrested. That’s why the annual water shortage crisis is getting worse in our area,” said a resident who lives in Myine Thar Yar Ward, Mawlamyine.

During the period when the National League for Democracy (NLD) was in government, charity groups and youth associations were routinely providing assistance and support to the victims of natural disasters, social and medical needs, and even in response to the pandemic. That is no longer the case. Charity groups and local youth associations actively organizing water donations during the dry periods of summer, have ceased to operate for the last two years.

Water sources, be it wells, lakes or ponds run dry during the summer in Mon State. Mawlamyine, Chaung Zone, Mudon and Thanbyuzayat Townships are facing the most serious water shortages at the moment.

“We’re aware that people are experiencing water shortages, but our members are in different places making it difficult to restart water donation campaigns. Then, when we begin to reorganize, the military will come and make inquiries. As the military is closely monitoring their movements, many young people are not prepared to take such risks. That’s why we have to stop our service of water donations,” said a member of a charity group based in Mawlamyine.

A tank of water was priced at about 5,000 Kyat last year but with sharp increases in commodity prices, people in Mon State now have to pay 15,000 Kyat per tank of water.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News