Letter from Myanmar

To readers,

Hello! This is a letter from Myanmar. My name is Wutt Yi, 31 years old. I have been financially struggling for 2 years ever since the coup d’etat took place in my home country. One of the most undesirable situations in Myanmar after the coup d’etat is that the value of our currency is going down and the living expenses are rising. For instance, we needed to pay only 300 kyats for a pack of instant noodles (known as Myat Lone which is quite popular in Myanmar) before the coup. Now, the price of that pack of instant noodles has more than doubled (800 kyats) even though the minimum wages remained unchanged at 4800 kyats per day since 2021. As a result of the coup d’etat, I have encountered a lot of families in Myanmar who begin to financially struggle.These days, the military government in Myanmar is conducting the sale of palm oil on a first-come, first-served basis. Consequently, a large portion of the population is queuing up to acquire palm oil, which is the most affordable cooking oil available. In this context, certain market owners are attempting to purchase it at a low cost and subsequently selling it at unfair, exorbitant prices. The military is not taking any measures to address these unethical practices.

Another unfortunate aspect here is the arbitrary electricity cuts. However, the tax for electricity has increased since the coup, which has caused stress for all of us. When the electricity is restored, we rush to cook, wash, and complete tasks that can only be done when the power is back. Then, The staple food in our country is rice. There are various types of rice available, including Paw San Hmwe, Basmati, and Lone Thwe Hmwe, among others. Among these, Paw San Hmwe, which used to cost 2000 kyats for half gallon before the coup, now costs 6000 kyats for the same quantity. As a result, some people cannot afford this price and are forced to buy and consume lower-quality rice.In this situation, individuals earning the minimum wage (4800 kyats) are facing difficulties purchasing the most affordable rice, which used to be 900 kyats for half gallon before the coup but now costs 2500 kyats.We also require curry to complement the rice. The prices of vegetables and meat are also significantly about 3 times higher than before the coup. Nevertheless, those earning a daily wage of only 4800 kyats are facing considerable difficulty in affording both rice and curry. This paints a stark picture of how many people in this region are experiencing hunger.

Life in our country has become increasingly unsafe since the Coup D'etat. Incidents involving pickpocket squads have surged, and we are witnessing a rise in various crimes such as robbery, kidnapping, illegal drug trade in clubs and bars, and swindling. While we have the option to report these crimes to the police, unfortunately, there has been little to no response or action taken to address these issues. Remarkably, amidst this atmosphere, the military is actively pursuing the arrest of businesspersons under the pretext of supporting the People's Defense Force (PDF) which is the armed wing of the National Unity Government (NUG) in Myanmar. It appears their aim is to confiscate property and assets from these individuals. This has added to the overall sense of insecurity and instability in our community.

The students who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement have lost not only their passion but also their dreams. Take, for example, one of my cousins who was a first-year college student before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. The pandemic forced the closure of all colleges and schools, making her unable to attend college. In response to the Coup D'etat, she chose to participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement instead of going to college again. She managed to secure a job, but unfortunately, her employer pays a salary below the minimum wage and fails to provide any overtime compensation. She found herself in a situation where reporting these issues is not an option, as she fears it might worsen her circumstances. She continues to endure hardships at her workplace.

Certainly, there are other students who have managed to return to school or college, but they too are facing various challenging situations. For instance, one of my cousins attends a school where her teacher overlooks grammar mistakes and marks them as correct. This highlights the subpar quality of education in public schools. Teachers pressure students to attend school by sending letters home. Naturally, some individuals have the means to attend private schools or colleges with higher tuition fees. Many teenagers attempt to go abroad instead of attending college here.

Indeed, some students have chosen to become members of the People's Defense Force (PDF). A friend of mine decided to join the PDF, and I occasionally stay in contact with her when she reaches out for financial assistance to support her group's fight against the military. The situation in some regions of our country has led to numerous civil wars, and she and her group find themselves in constant struggle to secure sustenance and combat the military's actions. Their activities involve moving between various locations to engage in combat and evade military forces. This has led them to stay in villages where they have encountered many people who have suffered due to the military's war crimes. She occasionally contacts us to request financial aid for the refugees living in these villages.

As I previously mentioned, a significant portion of our population is grappling with economic, mental, and educational challenges in the aftermath of the Coup D'etat. The military has been making efforts to apprehend activists in our region. This poses a significant threat to individuals who are advocating for change and working towards a better future. The situation remains deeply concerning and underscores the need for continued attention and support from the international community to protect the rights and safety of activists in Myanmar. I implore the international community to keep a keen eye on our struggle and extend their support in our fight against the dictatorship imposed by the military. Your attention and support are invaluable assets in our endeavor.

I want to express my gratitude for taking the time to read this letter.

Sincerely, Wutt Yi from Myanmar