Delivering food, especially rice, to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Karenni (Kayah) State who have been displaced for nearly two years is becoming increasingly difficult, while they also face restrictions and stringent checks by military checkpoints, according to people helping the displaced.
A member of the Kayan Region Rescue Committee (KRC), which provides food assistance to IDPs in western Demoso Township in Karenni State and western Pekon Township in southern Shan State, explained the food transport situation as follows.
“When it comes to food, rice is the most important of all. Most of them are out of rice. They have no rice crop to to harvest yet. So CSOs and NGOs have to buy rice from the mainland. But the rice hasn’t been delivered because of difficulties in transportation. They are conducting strict inspections and making arrests. Shipping rice from Loikaw is no longer allowed. Only half a bag is allowed. Those who carry one or two sacks usually get beaten up. They no longer allow shipments to the displacement areas,” said the KRC committee member.
He went on to say that last year the military council confiscated hundreds of rice bags during transports from the mainland. Currently, they have to obtain rice rations for IDPs through various means.
“The military council has begun to impose stricter regulations on the supply of food, medicine and shelter. After they even restricted the supply of diesel and gasoline, it has become impossible to get enough supplies. In addition, arrests are now on the rise. Even legitimate traders are facing risks and difficulties,” said U Banyar, director of the Karenni National Human Rights Group (KnHRG).
In addition, a bag of rice that used to cost only MMK 35,000 now sells for MMK 75,000, and in some places, there is not enough rice to buy. Rising prices amid strict arrests and inspections are one of the hardships for the displaced.
Commodity prices have increased significantly since the end of December 2022, and fuel prices have also increased.
In addition, due to the spread of fighting to some villages, emergency supplies of rice in the village were destroyed by fire and cannot be retrieved.
A KRC official said that the food supplies need to be retrieved depending on the ground fighting situation.
“We can’t go if the fighting is still going on. We have to go in when the situation calms down. We have to try to carry them back depending on the situation on the ground. If there are very tight inspections, we don’t bring them back. We go back and take them when the inspections ease.”
IDPs in Karenni have been repeatedly displaced from one location to another, leaving them unable to grow anything and largely dependent on donor support.
In the early days of displacement in 2021, they were able to provide regular support to IDPs, but currently they are no longer able to do so, the KRC committee member added.
“The most we can give them is two pyis of rice per head. We can’t provide as much as we used to today. Right now, most IDPs are on their own.”
Currently, most IDPs are living in Demoso, Hpruso and Loikaw Townships in Karenni State and Pekon and Pinlaung Townships in southern Shan State, while more than 250,000 people have been displaced in Karenni State over the past two years.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times.