Jedha has never been the most populous of satellites even in its heyday, but conditions have consistently worsened from the moment the Empire began settlement. Residents were forcibly resettled en masse to accommodate Imperial mining operations to harvest the kyber that the Guardians of the Whills had tasked themselves to protect. The planet lost its strategic significance after enough Kyber had been harvested, and with the local group of partisans effectively wiped out in the Death Star's test run, the planet was stripped of all but the basic garrison, and even that was fully withdrawn as the troops were redeployed to other theaters.
This absence has carved a particular niche. Jedha has never officially been part of the Republic, designated as a holy site for the Jedi. With the system positioned in the Mid-Rim, it finds itself at the borders of New Republic and Imperial remnant territory. The Kyber Rain stirred by Death Star test effectively bounces interplanetry transmissions unless they are routed through orbital stations, and effectively blocks tracking. In a absence of
While this is obviously appealing to a criminal element, there has also been a surge of former Rebellion members who have found themselves at odds with the legitimization of the movement and with the move to a peacetime force. In addition, the return of the Senate has promptly reintroduced the gridlock that had plagued the Republic at the advent of the Empire, encouraging some to start a anew. If it's anything, Jedha is free and cheap to settle so long as you are willing to forego certain luxuries.
Technology Level
Jedha is behind most other Mid-Rim planets due to it's relative remoteness and status as a Holy Site discouraging an influx of new arrivals and updates. That has begun to rapidly change, as multiple groups have begun settling post-disaster. These settlements have become hubs of development and new technologies that are able to expand what was considered settleable, small hubs in a sea of sands.
Health
Malnutrition has long plaugued the planet, but within the past few years residents have begun reporting what is called "Static Sickness", inhabitants suffer from severe chronic migraines, insomnia, vertigo, and auditory hallucinations. These typically fade are often tied to sandstorms, but have been increasing in frequency and at newer locations.
Ecology
The single-reactor strike from the Death Star did not just destroy the Holy; it shattered the moon's mantle, exposing magma seas and forcing microscopic kyber dust into the atmosphere. This constant particulate precipitation—known locally as the "Kyber Rain"—scours the surface with static-charged ash, pushing all viable agriculture underground and forcing survivors to adapt to a toxic, high-mineral biosphere.
A cold desert planet, residents have turned to a variety of methods of cultivating food for survival.
Subterranean Flora & Hydroponics
The underground soil remains mostly undisturbed, leading to a long history of subterrarian agriculture even before the damage to the planet.
The planetary stable are starchy tubers crops cultivated in the sealed sub-basements beneath moisture vaporators. They draw nutrients directly from mineral-heavy soil giving an earthy taste, but fluffy consistency when cooked. Ground water has been diverted to fill hydroponics for growing herbs for both medical cultivation and to diversify nutrition.
Livestock: Heavy-coated Eopies are heavy coated mamalian quadropeds endure the freezing ash-winds of the desiccated tablelands, carrying scavenged gear and providing thick wool. Smaller Jerbas are kept in narrow canyon pens, feeding on scrub to yield dense mutton and sharp, curded milk.
Scrub-Hares: Compact, quick hares that survive on desert scrub, they are a favorite treat of the native predators. Trapped along the rocky canyon ledges, they provide lean, gamey meat for stews and dense pelts to insulate against the permanent winter chill. While many are wild, they are frequently kept by farmers who can provide food pellets, and have begun expanding the population.
Golden Skritons and Hardshells are the names of a native species of inland crab originally thought to be two, but instead are the same that metamorphize differently based upon different environmental triggers. Golden Skitrons are generally smaller, about the size of a Lothcat and a elusive omnivore scavengers and are prized for sweet soft flesh. In comparison, Hardshells are larger, often clearing fifty kilos with fibrous meat, act as predators. While easier to find, their shells are surprisingly resistant to blaster fire
Mynocks: Mynocks have drastically increased in population with the expansion of the underground tunnels and hangers, feasting upon energy emissions. While seen as parasites throughout the galaxy, the unique kyber particule rich compositions a few enterprising individuals have rigged effective bugzappers to harvest the population, and with extensive preparation of spives their wings are fried as a common bar snack.