Ethnic Maramargree people cast ballots amid livelihood hardship, pandemic

By Myo Thiri Kyaw 06 Nov 2020

Myo Thiri Kyaw | DMG
6 November, Sittwe

Ethnic Maramargree people residing in Arakan State say they need assistance as they face livelihood hardship amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Most ethnic Maramargree people work as labourers at the markets, bus terminals and jetties, while some of the ethnic Maramargree people are engaged in subsistence work as labourers, making it difficult for them to earn a living during the coronavirus period.

“We can no longer go out and work as before due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are facing a lot of difficulties as we are not given assistance by the government,” said U Maung Nu, a resident of Setyonsu Ward.

Ko Win Myint, an ethnic Maramargree from Panmyaung village in Minbya Township, said that those living in volatile areas are not allowed to farm and had no job opportunities during the COVID-19 period.

“The government has never supported us [ethnic Maramargree people]. An ethnic Maramargree organisation supports us. Unlike other ethnic groups, the government does not support us,” he explained.

Ko Zaw Naing Oo, an ethnic Maramargree from Kyaukphyu Township, demanded that the authorities provide necessary assistance to the local people as they have been instructed to stay at home in various townships in Arakan State due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

The Maha Bodhi Social Association, a philanthropic organisation consisting of ethnic Maramargree people in Yangon, collected cash donations and donated K27,000 each to an impoverished family in Kyaukphyu, Mrauk-U, Ponnagyun, Minbya and Sittwe townships in Arakan State in September.

“For the first time, we have been able to provide cash aid donated by well-wishers at home and abroad for those who have been struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 period. We will continue to support the needy people,” said Ko Than Tun, an in-charge of the philanthropic organisation.

There are a total of about 11,000 ethnic Maramargree people in Arakan State, with most of them living in Sittwe, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Ponnagyun, Maungdaw and Kyaukphyu townships.