The Hunger Games

Episode #316: “Hunger and undernutrition in Myanmar is a political failure, and it’s a conscious political failure that's devastating,” says Thin Lei Win, a journalist dedicated to exposing Myanmar’s struggles with food security and press freedom.

As a co-founder of Kite Tales, a non-profit storytelling project, she seeks to challenge mainstream narratives by amplifying personal stories that reflect Myanmar’s diverse realities. She says that before the 2021 coup, journalists were beginning to move beyond just reactions to events into more nuanced kinds of stories, but since the coup, press freedom has deteriorated, forcing many into exile or silence.

Thin also highlights the paradox of Myanmar’s food production: despite its fertile soil, ample water and warm climate, large numbers of Burmes suffer from malnutrition due to political neglect and systemic policies. The military’s Four Cuts strategy has worsened food insecurity, using starvation as a weapon to control vulnerable communities. She argues that this is not simply a result of poverty but a deliberate choice by those in power.

Beyond food and press freedom, Thin is deeply concerned about climate change’s impact on Myanmar. Extreme weather disproportionately affects farmers, exacerbating existing inequalities. She advocates for sustainable farming and policy reforms to address these interconnected crises.

The post-coup resistance has led to a shift in Myanmar’s cultural and political consciousness. People are increasingly questioning traditional authorities, including the role of Buddhism in politics. Thin believes meaningful change will require difficult conversations and sustained activism. “If given a chance to rebuild, I think we can build a Myanmar that is so much stronger, caring, truly caring, and a force for good,” she says.