Ramree Twsp locals struggle to survive amid junta blockade

By Admin 29 Nov 2024

DMG Newsroom
29 November 2024, Ramree

Local people in Arakan State’s Ramree Township are facing livelihood hardships due to skyrocketing commodity prices.

The price of dried chili has soared to K35,000 per viss; the price of groundnut oil has risen to  K33,000 per viss; the price of garlic has increased to K40,000 per viss; the price of onion is K25,000 per viss and the price of gasoline is K15,000 per litre.

Residents of Ramree are facing a food crisis due to a lack of jobs and rising prices.

“Previously, my daily income was K10,000 and it was enough to feed my family. Now K10,000 is not enough to support my family. My job is not good. Since it is winter, I only have work to do to harvest paddy. I don’t know how to make a living after the winter,” said a local woman.

There has been no formal shipping of goods from mainland Myanmar into Ramree Township for more than a year due to junta blockades imposed on Arakan State.

Basic food products currently consumed in Arakan State are primarily imported from the Indian state of Mizoram, with some also coming from Magway Region.

Goods from India are imported to Ramree Township via Arakan State’s Kyauktaw and Minbya townships, resulting in high transportation costs that have in turn led to prices rising dramatically.

Ramree Township in Arakan State is home to more than 10,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) from Ann, Taungup and Kyaukphyu townships, and the displaced civilians are being particularly hard-hit by the skyrocketing commodity prices, and livelihood difficulties.