Nagas Face Food Insecurity as Conflict Hinders River Deliveries in Sagaing Region
By Network Media Group
Monday, January 8, 2024
The cost of essential goods has surged in a Naga area in Sagaing Region after a crucial transportation route was compromised.
The Monywa – Khamti water route was blocked, leading to food shortages and rising inflation in basic foods, meat, and fish.
A local man from Khamti Township reported that food products have drastically increased in Khamti, Lashi, and Lahe townships of the Naga Self-Administered Zone.
“A viss (1.68kg) of fish or beef costs 40,000 kyat here, and we are unable to buy CP Chicken,” he explained to NMG.
Rice at 170,000 kyat per bag is too expensive, so vendors are selling by the basket. A viss of cooking oil costs 20,000 kyat, petroleum is 12,000 kyat per liter, and a viss of beef or fish costs 40,000 kyat in Khamti town.
A local woman from Lahe said that food costs have also exploded in the town, and many people are struggling to eat.
“People are facing many difficulties with debts. Poor people are facing many troubles here with the costs of food increasing day by day,” she said, explaining how they have to carry food from Khamti to Lahe because of the blockade.
She mentioned that chicken costs 50,000 kyat per viss in Lahe, a viss of pork costs 28,000 kyat, and a viss of fish costs 30,000 kyat. “Very few people can afford to buy fish and meat… Some people choose to eat eggs.”
Normally, boats carry these food items from Monywa on the Chindwin River, but both the military council and People’s Defence Force have blocked it between Monywa and Homalin townships for over a month.
Lahe, the capital of the Naga Self-Administered Zone, was visited by regime leader Min Aung Hlaing during the Naga New Year celebration in January 2023. After this, the region faced instability following land and river blockages.
