Junta blockades cause food shortages for Ramree residents

By Admin 04 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
4 July 2024, Ramree

Local people in Ramree, an island town in Arakan State, are reportedly facing challenges due to shortages of basic foodstuffs and consumer goods.

The shortages began after the junta blockaded trade routes to Arakan State in November, with the resumption of hostilities between the Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA).

Commodities were transported to Ramree from Arakan State’s Thandwe Township by cargo boats in the past, but the trade halted due to ongoing fighting in Thandwe Township.

“Previously, we transported commodities to Ramree from Taungup and Thandwe townships amid the Myanmar Navy’s strict security checks. Sometimes, junta soldiers looted our commodities, but it was not a problem for us. After the fighting broke out in Taungup, it became difficult for us to transport commodities to Ramree,” said a local merchant in Ramree.

Due to the trade disruption, Ramree Township is running short of basic food items and consumer goods such as dried chili, seasoning powder, cooking oil, detergent and medicines, with the prices of remaining stocks skyrocketing.

“Commodity prices are going up. If you buy an item for K20,000 today, it will cost almost K30,000 the next morning. All grocery owners are selling the remaining stocks,” said a female grocery owner.

Ramree Township is home to about 100,000 people, according to a 2018-19 census conducted by the General Administration Department (GAD).

The AA launched attacks on Ramree on December 18, and seized total control of the town on March 11.