NGOs targeted in Myanmar, causing food prices to soar

As
merchants sell can after can of rice in Myanmar, concern is growing among
locals, especially Muslim Rohingyas.

While the staple product sits
side-by-side in nearly every market stall in this village in the Rakhine state,
supplies are likely to run out.

That's because non-governmental
organizations are under attack, forcing the groups to flee. 

(SOUNDBITE) (Rohingya) BUSINESSMAN, MOHARMAD ALI, SAYING:

"If there
are no NGOs, since most Muslims here are poor, there will be a food problem
without NGOs delivering it to them as they did before. There is a shortage of
medicine too and media as well. Poor Muslims could die."

With suppliers
like the World Food Programme and USAID gone, the supply chain has been
disrupted and food prices have spiked.

(SOUNDBITE) (Rohingya) VILLAGER,
HLA MAUNG, SAYING:

"The price of rice is going up every day. This morning
the price of rice rose from 15,000 Kyats to 18,000 Kyats per bag. And then late
afternoon it was 20,000 Kyats to 25,000 Kyats depending on the rice quality. The
price of other food products like salt, oil, chili and onion is going up
too."

Merchants say anti-Muslim Rakhine ethnic groups have ordered them
not to trade with internally displaced persons, like the Muslim
Rohingyas.

Religious violence in the country has left at least 237 dead
and more than 140,000 displaced since June 2012.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/ngos-targeted-in-myanmar-causing-food-prices-to-soar/