Myanmar: Priest ventures to the remotest village to offer essential commodities

People are affected by rising prices due to Covid-19. But in Myanmar, the recent military coup is making things worse for the poor in the remotest villages.

Father Peter Ah Phung, the program director of the Lisu language service of Radio Veritas Asia, ventured into the remotest and poorest place named Zang Yaw in the diocese of Myitkyina, Myanmar.

It's a place difficult to access via road. Father Peter and volunteers walked for days to bring relief to the desperate people.

Zang Yaw is under the care of Putao parish. Due to the long distances and rocky road, one hardly reaches there. In former times, one had to walk for fifteen days through rough paths to arrive in this village. Even now, the road is accessible for a motorbike only for half distance from the village.

Zang Yaw people cried for help to the respective pastors due to dreadfully expensive goods. Blocking the China-Myanmar road made the villagers helpless. Zang Yaw receives most goods from Myitkyina, which is 355 miles away (571 kilometers).  

As a result, the price of one sack of rice is more than seventy dollars.

With a Catechist from Myitkyina, Father Peter arrived at Zang Yaw to distribute rice and other essential commodities on September 26.

"I am very happy that our pastor did not abandon us," said one of the villagers.

The priest offered help irrespective of religious affiliations.

"I am amazed that Catholic priests help us as much as they can, although we are not Catholics. We feel the concern of Catholic Church," said one widow from the Assembly of God church.

Father Peter distributed essential commodities to more than 300 families in Zang Yaw with the help of some generous benefactors.

Thanking the benefactors' Father Peter said, "We distributed rice and some basic needs to both Catholics and non-Catholics who are in urgent need. We saw their sweet smiles, which erased our tiredness."