NGOs targeted in Myanmar, causing food prices to soar

Reuters 2014-03-29

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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 2

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