Paletwa Twsp grapples with skyrocketing commodity prices, food shortages

By Myo Thiri Kyaw 08 Jun 2020

Myo Thiri Kyaw|DMG
8 June, Paletwa 

Commodity prices have soared in Paletwa Township, Chin State, where locals are also facing shortages of household items as all major transport routes leading into the area have been cut off, according to residents. 

Since road links were blocked in February, trade between Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township and neighbouring Paletwa Township has effectively come to a halt, resulting in the commodity price rise and food shortages, said Paletwa resident Ko Tin Tun Aung. 

“Some poor families have had to cut rice consumption in half because rice cannot be bought in the market,” he told DMG. “The poor family members face difficulties because they dare not go to the jungle to collect vegetables. Some families with many members have to eat rice porridge.” 

The cost of a sack of low-quality rice has increased from about K30,000 (US$21) to K100,000, while the price for a bag of high-grade Paw San Hmwe, also known as “Pearl Rice”, has risen to K150,000 from K50,000, according to locals. 

The cost of dried fish has also increased by K2,000 per viss and now stands at K8,000/viss. The price for fish paste has reached K8,000 per viss, up from K3,000, locals report. 

In addition to the commodity price spike, residents of Paletwa Township are reportedly facing scarcities of kitchenware and medicine. 

“There are nine shops selling rice in Paletwa but all shops have already sold their stock. How can we survive in the rainy season?” asked U Sein Tun Hla, a Paletwa resident. “We don’t have food or clothing. Commodity prices have gone up due to poor transport links. Now we have nothing to buy even with the commodity price rises.” 

Five-thousand sacks of rice donated by well-wishers and the World Food Programme (WFP) for Paletwa residents have been stranded in Samee town, 40 miles from Paletwa town, because the transport route has been blocked, said U Kyaw Nyein, chairman of the Khumi Affairs Coordination Council. 

“I received a phone call from Paletwa that residents there face food shortages. We have no official authority. We will give Paletwa residents a helping hand as much as we can. The situation will worsen as the rainy season draws nearer,” he added. 

DMG contacted Chin State government spokesperson U Soe Htet and the Upper House lawmaker who represents Paletwa Township, Salai Myo Htike, for comment on the commodity price increases, but they could not be reached.