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20-06-2024, 03:27 PM
Crisis Looms for 100,000 in Myanmar’s Putao as Rice and Medicine Run Out.
About hundred thousand 100,000 people in Kachin’s Putao, one of Myanmar’s poorest districts, are on brink of crisis (rice/medicine), as supplies run out after months of conflict that has severed trade routes. Putao on northern tip of the country comprises townships Putao, Nawngmun, Sumprabum, Khaunglanhpu and Machanbaw & is home to almost 100,000 people, according to 2014 census.
Junta troops vs Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Sumprabum Town (cut flow of goods to Putao from state capital Myitkyina). Rice is mainly grown by households for their own in Putao District. Production began decline since in pandemic 2020, dwindled further since 2021 coup due to rising costs of agricultural materials and a shortage of labor. This has forced residents to buy their daily staple from(Myitkyina) 350k to 400k kyats per sack. The increasing financial burdens as stocks run low with another 5 mths to be endured b4 next harvest, locals are expressing concern over hunger and malnutrition.
Convoy arrives June 10. A 14 vehicles from Myitkyina arrived in Putao town, 1st week of June (negotiations between junta & KIA). Vehicles were small & no fuel or pharmaceuticals is carry. “Convoy only arrived 200 rice sacks, cooking oil, salt & onions,” a Putao resident said,“ supplies is very low many residents of villages could not even buy a pack of salt.” A total of 37,288 acres of paddy were grown in rainy season last year, (regime data). Video show of desperate Putao men pulling plows by hand - widely shared on social media. 80% of farmers can’t even cultivate farms, Some are plowing [by hand]. Every Putao District township is facing a fuel shortage.
Junta said 40 barrels of diesel arrived by military plane from Mandalay on May 1, but farmers told The Irrawaddy that not all farmers received the fuel and those who did got only a small amount.
Only got t3 bottles of diesel per acre. Normally, 3 gallons for an acre,” 2 clinics & pharmacies in Putao town has been forced to close running out of medicines. Medical supplies are not coming to the town’s public hospital.
A food convoy of 14 vehicles from Myitkyina arrived in Putao town during the first week of June following negotiations between the regime and the KIA. The vehicles were small however and did not carry fuel or pharmaceuticals.“The convoy only arrived with 200 rice sacks, cooking oil, salt and onions,” a Putao resident said.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/cri...n-out.html
About hundred thousand 100,000 people in Kachin’s Putao, one of Myanmar’s poorest districts, are on brink of crisis (rice/medicine), as supplies run out after months of conflict that has severed trade routes. Putao on northern tip of the country comprises townships Putao, Nawngmun, Sumprabum, Khaunglanhpu and Machanbaw & is home to almost 100,000 people, according to 2014 census.
Junta troops vs Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Sumprabum Town (cut flow of goods to Putao from state capital Myitkyina). Rice is mainly grown by households for their own in Putao District. Production began decline since in pandemic 2020, dwindled further since 2021 coup due to rising costs of agricultural materials and a shortage of labor. This has forced residents to buy their daily staple from(Myitkyina) 350k to 400k kyats per sack. The increasing financial burdens as stocks run low with another 5 mths to be endured b4 next harvest, locals are expressing concern over hunger and malnutrition.
Convoy arrives June 10. A 14 vehicles from Myitkyina arrived in Putao town, 1st week of June (negotiations between junta & KIA). Vehicles were small & no fuel or pharmaceuticals is carry. “Convoy only arrived 200 rice sacks, cooking oil, salt & onions,” a Putao resident said,“ supplies is very low many residents of villages could not even buy a pack of salt.” A total of 37,288 acres of paddy were grown in rainy season last year, (regime data). Video show of desperate Putao men pulling plows by hand - widely shared on social media. 80% of farmers can’t even cultivate farms, Some are plowing [by hand]. Every Putao District township is facing a fuel shortage.
Junta said 40 barrels of diesel arrived by military plane from Mandalay on May 1, but farmers told The Irrawaddy that not all farmers received the fuel and those who did got only a small amount.
Only got t3 bottles of diesel per acre. Normally, 3 gallons for an acre,” 2 clinics & pharmacies in Putao town has been forced to close running out of medicines. Medical supplies are not coming to the town’s public hospital.
A food convoy of 14 vehicles from Myitkyina arrived in Putao town during the first week of June following negotiations between the regime and the KIA. The vehicles were small however and did not carry fuel or pharmaceuticals.“The convoy only arrived with 200 rice sacks, cooking oil, salt and onions,” a Putao resident said.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/cri...n-out.html
