Election takes a back seat as flood-hit Magwe’s farmers struggle to rebuild
For the tens of thousands of farmers in Magwe Region still reeling from last month’s floods, the November election may not register as high-priority. With upwards of 100,000 displaced and having lost their livelihoods, the immediate need to rebuild means the election is the last thing on many people’s minds.
“The most important thing for us now is our family’s living. All farmers have to try to recover their living as we all faced flooding. We are not interested to see if we are included in voter list,” says Ko Htet Aung Kyaw, a paddy farmer from Kyaung Taw Yar village in Pwintbyu township.
Pwintbyu is home to more than 25,000 households and more than 110,000 people. The flooding toward the end of July has forced tens of thousands from their homes and land.
