Significant rise in commodity prices, due to junta roadblocks and transportation restrictions adds more hardships on communities

January 24, 2025

HURFOM: On January 9^th, 2025, an intense battle took place between the military junta and the joint resistance forces in Kyone Long (old) village, Ye Township, Mon State.

Soon after the armed conflict, the junta blocked the transportation of food to the Ye Chaung Pyar Area.

The blockage has created a food shortage. Rice and food must be transported from the Three Pagoda Route leading to a significant rise in commodity prices creating livelihood hardships for the local community.

At the moment, a villager has to pay as much as 200,000 MMK for a bag of rice; 800 MMK for an egg and 10,000 MMK for a polybag of cooking oil.

“There had been scarcity of food before but now they’re imported from the Three Pagoda Route. But we have to pay an unbelievable price. We must pay 200,000 MMK for a bag of rice. Those earning 150,000 MMK a month can’t survive anymore,” said a Ye Chaung Pyar resident.

The junta has also limited transportation of vegetables, meat and fishes to the Ye Chaung Pyar Area and those products can only be transported by motorbikes.

“Fish and meat exceeding more than 8.15 (5 peittha) cannot be transported. If you have a big fish, you have to cut it into two pieces and transport it on two motorbikes. Only 15 L of rice is allowed to transport. If your transport exceeds more than the limited amount, they seize your product,” said a vegetable vendor.

Due to the January 9th armed clash, more than 1,000 residents from five villages in Ye Chaung Pyar Area have fled for safer shelter in a liberated area controlled by the New Mon State Party.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News