Kantarawaddy Times
Residents in the western part of Hpruso Township, Karenni State, say that medicines and some basic food supplies are in shortage due to transportation difficulties caused by the rainy season.
“There is a clinic here, but we are facing shortages of medicines. We have already ordered medical supplies, but they cannot be transported easily. We have even tried using tractors to bring them in, but that doesn’t help either,” a local woman said.
Residents explained that remote areas of Hpruso Township have been hit hardest by the transportation problems, with supply trucks unable to reach these communities for about a month. In addition to medicines, basic food items such as rice, cooking oil, salt, fish paste, and dried fish are all in short supply.
According to local residents, the shortages of medicines and basic food supplies have lasted for around three weeks. Since only one tractor is currently available to transport goods, it cannot bring in enough supplies to meet local demand.
Residents also said they now have to travel on foot for about eight hours on a round trip to carry essential goods back to their communities, leading to higher commodity prices.
“Because the roads are damaged, neither trucks nor tractors can get through at the moment. Motorcycles can go by using certain routes. Most shops have already run out of goods. People who need supplies hire people to carry them on foot. Those traveling by motorcycle have to stay overnight, while people walking can make the trip in a single day. The main items being transported are cooking oil and rice,” a local man said.
Several roads commonly used in the western part of Hpruso Township have worsened further during the rainy season. Local residents are currently carrying out repairs on sections that have become impassable for both vehicles and motorcycles.
