Toe Kalay / Kantarawaddy Times
Due to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, many countries, including Myanmar, are facing fuel shortages. In Karenni State, residents in the eastern part of Hpruso Township are experiencing a worsening water scarcity crisis as a direct consequence of these fuel shortages.
Every summer, the region suffers from a lack of drinking water, forcing locals to travel long distances to collect it. To fetch water, they rely on motorcycles, tractors, or cars, and the journey can take at least an hour. As fuel prices increase and supplies become scarce, the hardship has intensified.
“We can no longer afford fuel to go fetch water because prices have risen so much,” said a local woman.
Rising fuel costs have also increased the cost of transporting water. The area is also home to internally displaced people (IDPs), who are now facing greater difficulties due to the increasing expenses related to water.
For residents and displaced people in eastern Hpruso, it can take up to three hours one way to reach water sources on foot.
Currently, a 20-liter container of petrol costs around 140,000 kyats, while the same amount of diesel is priced at about 150,000 kyats. Even at these high prices, buyers cannot purchase as much as they need.
In addition to these challenges, those attempting to access water must remain alert to threats from military forces. Some water sources are occupied by the military, and ongoing offensives and troop deployments have further limited access to safe water sources.
Due to the long distances, those unable to collect water themselves must buy it from others. A 5-gallon container costs about 2,000 kyats, while a 1,000-liter tank can cost up to 50,000 kyats, depending on the location.
“We have to buy water now. This year, there are no donors. Fortunately, it rained once or twice recently, so we had some water. But now, we have to fetch it again,” said a male resident of Hpruso.
Before the military coup and during periods when travel was still possible, social organizations and donors used to provide water assistance. However, due to the current security concerns, such support has stopped.
The intense summer heat is also affecting children’s health. According to a displaced woman, some children are experiencing illnesses.
“For now, we haven’t seen cases of diarrhea, but many children are suffering from fever, body aches, and coughs,” she said.
The main road connecting Loikaw–Demoso–Hpruso–Bawlakhe–Hpasawng has been retaken by military troops, making the eastern part of Hpruso Township vulnerable to sudden military activity and clashes at any time.
Amid these conditions, nearly 15,000 residents and displaced people in Hpruso are enduring severe shortages of drinking water.
