Episode #316: The Hunger Games
Release Date: March 7
“Hunger and undernutrition in Myanmar is a political failure, and it’s a conscious political failure that's devastating.” So says Thin Lei Win. Our guest navigates two distinct, yet interconnected worlds: journalism and global food systems. This is her second appearance on the podcast. She previously joined our “Taste of Resilience” panel, which discussed intersections of food and culture in Myanmar.
Thin’s professional journey began within the strict traditions of journalism, where reporters were taught never to be the story themselves. Yet, as a co-founder of Kite Tails, a nonprofit storytelling project established in 2016, she and her co-founder, Kelly McNamara, sought to change this paradigm. They set out to provide a counter-narrative to mainstream Myanmar reporting, which often presented a monolithic view of the country's politics and struggles. Instead, they encouraged local journalists to share personal narratives. Their objective was to highlight everyday experiences and to provide a contrast to the foreign media’s often simplistic depiction of Myanmar politics, the framing of which Thin characterizes as “the Lady [Aung San Suu Kyi] and the Generals.”
Thin describes how Myanmar’s press, which had been shaped initially by an oppressive environment, briefly experienced relative freedom during the transition years, before the 2021 military coup reinstated severe restrictions. During that time, newsrooms began moving beyond reporting just in reaction to events, and towards a kind of storytelling that provided context, personal stories, and long-term perspectives. However, the coup forced journalists into survival mode, struggling to provide coverage amid brutal repression; they no longer had the luxury of time or space for a more nuanced, creative approach. Many media outlets shut down entirely, and independent reporters found themselves financially and politically vulnerable. As for Kite Tales, they adapted by pivoting from documenting everyday life to publishing anonymous diaries from Myanmar journalists, chronicling the realities of their situation while shielding their identities.
The challenges now facing local media are immense. However, Thin remains hopeful that journalists can still foster more nuanced storytelling that reflects Myanmar’s diverse realities, arguing that despite the ongoing conflict, the media must nonetheless continue to strive for depth and accuracy to capture the lived experiences of people from all regions and backgrounds. To do so, this will require both determination and a firm commitment to journalistic integrity, critical thinking, and persistence in navigating the restrictions imposed by military control or other governing authorities. Thin emphasizes that independent journalism and a protected space for dissent are crucial for Myanmar’s media to be able to play a meaningful role in the country’s path toward democracy and accountability. She sees a free press as essential for fostering informed discussions and holding those in power accountable.
Transitioning to her second topic of expertise, food insecurity, Thin describes how Burma was once labeled the “Rice Bowl of Southeast Asia,” because its fertile land, warm climate and British Colonial investment made it one of the world’s leading exporters of rice, Yet today, its population suffers from a variety of severe challenges regarding food. An interview that Thin conducted with a representative from the World Food Program gave her critical insight into this paradox: While the country does produce a significant surplus of crops like rice and pulses (legumes), the overreliance on rice as the primary dietary staple has led to widespread malnutrition, as many communities lack access to a more diverse range of nutrient-dense foods. She found that the necessary infrastructure and policies to ensure that all citizens have access to a well-rounded, nutritious diet have long been neglected. This crisis is particularly acute in remote regions such as Chin State and Rakhine, where food insecurity is compounded by geographic isolation, insufficient infrastructure, and deliberate government neglect.
There are also political complications. For one, Thin points out that Myanmar's rural farming communities have been marginalized. They continue to live in poverty, and successive governments have failed to address the infrastructure needs that would enable these communities to thrive. The military's Four Cuts strategy, aimed at weakening insurgencies by limiting resources, has deepened food disparities as well. In conflict zones, food has been weaponized as a means of exerting control over vulnerable populations. The deliberate obstruction of aid, destruction of food supplies, and systematic underdevelopment of minority regions have perpetuated cycles of deprivation, making food insecurity a tool of oppression rather than an issue of mere scarcity. In sum, Thin argues forcefully that food insecurity in Myanmar is not merely an unfortunate consequence of a colonial legacy, economic hardship and agricultural mismanagement, but also a direct result of intentional, political decisions.
Regarding the country’s food challenges, Thin is also deeply concerned about climate change. She has observed how the increasing number of extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, disproportionately affect rural farmers, further exacerbating existing inequalities. She advocates for urgent policy changes to mitigate environmental degradation and promote sustainable farming practices, emphasizing that climate resilience is crucial to Myanmar’s long-term stability and food supply. Recognizing these intersecting challenges, she continues to push for a holistic approach that addresses both political and environmental factors to ensure equitable food systems.
Another topic that Thin reflects on is how the post-coup resistance in Myanmar has led to unexpected cultural shifts. As they navigate the realities of their oppression, people have found themselves openly questioning topics once considered to be taboo, such as the role of the Buddhist clergy in politics and the legitimacy of Aung San Suu Kyi’s leadership. This newfound willingness to criticize authority echoes broader discussions being held about Myanmar’s ethnic diversity: historically, the majority Bamar population had ignored the grievances of ethnic minorities, but more recently, there has been an increased awareness and acknowledgment of their struggles. Thin also considers the role of religion in this evolving landscape, stating, “I still see a role that Buddhism can play, an important role, in rebuilding the country in the country’s future. But I think we really need to reimagine how we practice it.” In other words, while tradition remains influential, it must evolve to better serve the people.
Thin emphasizes that real change in Myanmar requires amplifying marginalized voices, fostering open discussions--even difficult ones--and implementing systemic reforms. She believes that progress is possible but warns against falling into complacency. “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. But we need to be very careful not to fall back into what feels comfortable,” adding, “We need a culture where we can discuss things and have a healthy debate without resorting to personal attacks.” Thin remains optimistic that despite the immense challenges ahead, the determination and collective efforts of dedicated individuals can drive the country toward a more inclusive and equitable future.
Finally, reflecting on her role as a journalist in exile, Thin acknowledges the emotional burden of witnessing Myanmar’s struggles from afar. “Survivor’s guilt is a thing. And I think that propels a lot of us who are outside of the country, who have the privilege and freedom to speak, to do something, to keep doing it, because that feels like the least we could be doing.” She sees this responsibility as a driving force, compelling those in the diaspora to continue advocating for Myanmar’s future, ensuring that the stories of those who remain silenced are heard.
If you enjoyed this interview, we suggest the following discussions that explore similar topics:
● Ashley South describes how climate change is rapidly making large parts of Myanmar uninhabitable, particularly in central regions where rising temperatures threaten both human survival and agriculture. His insights highlight how these environmental changes will have profound humanitarian and political consequences, exacerbating displacement and reinforcing the fragmentation of Myanmar’s state structure.
● Trish shares how her journey as a chef took a radical turn when she transformed her culinary expertise into a tool for activism, using food to support protesters and later to help a displaced Myanmar community in Thailand to coalesce. Her experience highlights how food is more than sustenance—it is a means of resistance, identity preservation, and social connection, providing nourishment in times of crisis while also serving as a powerful cultural and political statement.
● Swe Win’s dual commitment to journalism and meditation has shaped his pursuit of truth in Myanmar’s fraught media landscape, despite threats and state repression. His experience highlights the ongoing struggle between press freedom and authoritarian control, where the act of documenting injustices—whether through investigative reporting or personal storytelling—becomes a critical yet perilous means of confronting power and shaping public consciousness.
● Ashin Kovida notes how his monastic background and engagement with human rights have led him to challenge the military’s co-opting of Buddhism for political control, a shift that has put both monks and laypeople in the crosshairs of repression. His account speaks to the larger transformation of religious spaces in Myanmar, where faith, once a refuge, has become a battleground for justice, resistance, and the redefinition of moral authority amid a backdrop of escalating state violence.
● Matthew Wells has documented the Myanmar military’s use of the Four Cuts strategy, exposing their deliberate targeting of civilians as a means of maintaining control through fear and deprivation. His findings reinforce the broader theme that food insecurity, displacement, and systemic violence are not incidental consequences of conflict, but rather strategic tools wielded by those in power in order to perpetuate suffering as a form of domination and social engineering.
● Brian Haman discusses his work on a recent poetry anthology capturing Myanmar’s resistance and trauma, which reveals the power of storytelling in shaping collective memory and expressing resilience. His reflections on the poetic and artistic responses to the coup highlight how narratives serve as both a form of documentation and a mode of defiance, preserving the voices of those who might otherwise be silenced.