Interview
Border News Agency
Mrauk-U, August 8.

The civilian people in Arakan are facing and overcoming many difficulties, including challenges related to food and livelihood.

Among them, it is said that women are dealing with these hardships more intensely.

Border News Agency met and interviewed a woman who supports her family’s livelihood by selling snacks.

“I have been selling snacks for two years. There are six people in my family: my father, mother, my younger sister, and two children, one boy and one girl.”

“I do work for others as a laborer. I farm, work in the fields and ponds, and also do weeding. I’m still doing all these. I also sell snacks. When I work at the shrimp pond, my younger sister sells snacks in the morning. At home, my mother helps out, but it’s not very convenient.”

“Buying one coconut for three to four thousand kyats isn’t reasonable. Since all prices are rising, it’s hard to manage. Prices keep going up. Before, prices didn’t increase like this. Previously, my mother also sold snacks to make a living. Back then, prices were reasonable, and we had enough to eat. At that time, firewood prices were 200-300 kyats a stick, now everything has become expensive. Because of these rising expenses, I don’t have a single kyat left in my hand.”

“I borrow and rent things. I borrow from my younger sister to use. When my sister earns some money from sewing clothes, I borrow from her and use it. I can’t even afford to buy a bag of sticky rice anymore. I can’t even afford to buy coconuts. I have to take on whatever work I can at the shrimp pond. Sesame oil costs around 12,000 kyats. Sugar costs about 1,000 kyats. I don’t buy them anymore. I only eat whatever is left from selling snacks.”

“Even buying betel nuts for 1,000 kyats is not enough for us to chew for a day. We have to spend at least 2,000 kyats. When visitors come over, we also have to give some to them. Betel leaves cost about 500 kyats. Betel chewing tobacco also costs about 500 kyats. The family spends around 2,000 kyats on betel nuts.”

“It has been about two years since selling became difficult. Working is also not going well. Prices keep rising and don’t match our income. Buying and eating rice, even that doesn’t match up with what we earn.”

“In the past, half a bottle of cooking oil cost 3,000 kyats. Now, the same half bottle costs 6,000 kyats.”