Hello everyone. As a journalist observing the global fallout of the Middle East conflict, it is alarming to see how a war thousands of miles away is directly impacting the daily lives of ordinary people across Asia.
Since the escalation of the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran in late February, Tehran's decision to restrict access to the Strait of Hormuz—a route handling 20% of the world's crude oil—has sent shockwaves worldwide. However, the impact is most severe in Asia, which relies on this strait for 90% of its crude oil and gas imports.
Here is a glimpse of how the crisis is unfolding across different Asian nations:
India: The restriction has severely hit India's LPG imports. In Gujarat, the ceramics industry, employing nearly 400,000 people, has largely shut down due to gas shortages, leaving migrant workers in extreme uncertainty. In Mumbai, around 20% of hotels and restaurants have fully or partially closed, and long queues for cooking gas cylinders have become a common sight nationwide.
The Philippines: The government declared a national state of emergency on Tuesday regarding energy supply. Jeepney drivers, the backbone of local public transport, have seen their daily earnings plummet from $19 to barely $3-$8 for a 12-hour shift. Farmers and fishermen are also halting operations due to soaring fuel costs, rendering government subsidies inadequate.
Thailand: In a symbolic move to promote energy conservation, news anchors on the public broadcaster Thai PBS have started presenting the news without their signature suit jackets. The government has also mandated keeping air conditioners at 26-27°C and ordered state employees to work from home.
Sri Lanka: Just recovering from a massive economic collapse in 2022, Sri Lanka is facing a cruel irony. As one resident put it, "Before, the country had no money to buy fuel. Now the country has money, but there is no fuel to buy." Long lines at petrol pumps have returned, and the government has introduced measures like making Wednesday a public holiday to ration fuel.
Myanmar: Already devastated by a civil war, the military-backed administration has implemented an "odd-even" policy for private vehicles to conserve fuel. Citizens fear that an imminent black market for fuel will drive up the prices of essential goods even further.
Even economic giants like China, despite having a three-month strategic reserve, are struggling to manage the situation as citizens face a 20% spike in fuel prices.
The reality is stark: geopolitical maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz are deciding whether a factory worker in India gets paid or a driver in the Philippines can feed his family.
How is the energy crisis affecting your country? Let’s discuss this in the comments.
