Food distribution, free electricity meant to ease economic impact of Covid-19
The government will provide basic food items to families who have lost their incomes because of the Covid-19 pandemic during Thingyan.
The Aung San Suu Kyi-led National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Covid-19 announced the food programme on Monday.
From April 10 to 19 every household that has recently lost its income from Covid-19-related shutdowns will be given eight pyi (10.4 kg or 23 lb) of rice, 50 tickle (0.8 kg or 1.8 lb) of cooking oil, 50 tickle of salt, one viss (1.6 kg or 3.5 lb) of beans and a viss of onion, according to the committee’s statement.
The government has also asked everyone to stay at home and avoid traveling during the annual new year festival to limit the spread of the disease.
Local authorities on Tuesday said they would begin collecting lists of eligible households.
Pensioners, civil servants, small business owners, those still employed and those still receiving remittances from family members abroad are ineligible as supplies are intended only for the neediest, the committee said.
About a quarter of Myanmar’s 52 million people live on less than 1590 kyat ($1.10) a day, according to the World Bank.
Supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic have already shuttered about 60 factories in Yangon, leaving more than 20,000 people without work, according to the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM) .
Such was the case for Aye Aye Moe on Tuesday when the Amber Stone garment factory in Hlaing Tharyar township shut its doors, leaving her without an income. The factory has not said if it plans to reopen in the future or not.
She supports the food programme’s aim but worries scammers may try to take advantage of it.
“If the rations are given to the unemployed, that’s good. But I’m worried there will be some unscrupulous people who will cheat and we won’t get the food,” she said.
Hlaing Tharyar is a sprawling and overcrowded township in western Yangon, home to many large factories and the migrants who work at them.
Most people Myanmar Now spoke to there recently said they are happy about the food assistance - whether they benefit from it directly or not.
Thawda Win runs a snack shop out of her home there. While that likely makes her ineligible, she still appreciates the government’s effort.
“I am happy people will receive the rations even if I don’t. It’s good for low-income earners, and I hope it helps prevent crimes like theft,” she said.
The government is also waiving fees for the first 150 units of electricity billed to homes, houses of worship and social service facilities.
Embassies, the UN and other international organisations will not be eligible for the fee waivers, the statement said.
Myanmar has so far reported 22 Covid-19 cases, including three deaths.
Additional reporting by Kay Zon Nway
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