Narinjara News, August 2, 2025 

Local people in Gwa Township, which is situated in the southern region of Rakhine State, are finding it difficult to eat less since there are few employment options and no income due to the fact that their local crops are not being sold, local residents in Gwa told Narinjara news.

A local woman in Gwa said that the community is having a hard time making ends meet due to a lack of employment and income as well as a lack of market for their produce.

"In the past, we were able to sell seasonal food, such as bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and vegetables, and there were buyers. We are no longer able to sell bamboo shoots for 800 Kyats per viss (1.6 kilos). There aren't any purchasers. All of them are laborers and vendors in our area who are struggling to make a living. Due to a lack of rice, a family that would need to prepare five cans (the size of a condensed milk tin can) of rice for lunch or dinner just prepares three. On occasion, he added, we must prepare rice gruel in the evening,” he said.

The majority of the population in Gwa is made up of farmers, with a few fishermen.

The natives of Gwa Township lost their agricultural produce, such as paddy and rice, as well as their cattle, when they fled the war, and upon their return, they found themselves jobless and without sustenance.

"We have our own home. However, there is no employment available. There is nothing left. When we left our house because of fighting between the army and the AA, much of our stuff was stolen. At the moment, we have lost everything. The cattle used to cultivate paddy fields are no longer there. Even the jewelry is sold in order to survive each day. They have nothing to do right now,” he stated.

The majority of the population in Gwa's urban centers is made up of unskilled manual laborers. Because the junta authorities have blocked the road and communication with Burma proper, they are unable to engage in any economic activity, such as selling or buying goods.

It's hard to sell at the market since no one can afford it, and their means of subsistence are getting harder to obtain.

"The trading among people was excellent in the past. Residents of the city who could afford it would purchase commodities from Burma proper, such as the Ayeyarwady division, and then sell them throughout the township. The townsfolk would travel to the city to sell local meat, seafood, and produce. Everything was in order. We might eat well. There are no sellers or consumers in the neighborhood company anymore. Due to the combat in the township, the wealthy and middle class are also mostly residing outside of it and seeking refuge in Burma proper. The business isn't great without affluent communities in this area.”

Some fishermen live on the riverbanks, while others grow vegetables and cultivate fields in the mountains and woods, according to locals.

The Arakan Army is in charge of Gwa Township right now, and rehabilitation efforts are not proceeding well.

Transportation from the Ayeyarwady Region was cut off following the Arakan Army (AA) capture of Gwa township, which is situated in the far south of Rakhine, on December 28.

The government's 2022 census indicates that the population of Gwa township was 82,572 people, spread over 159 villages, 33 village tracts, and 6 urban wards.