National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has revealed that the chemical godown fire that occurred this September caused an estimated MVR 36 million in damages.
At a news conference held by the authority on Saturday, the Deputy Chief Executive of the NDMA Umar Fikuree stated that along with the relevant authorities, NDMA has assessed the damage caused by the blaze.
While two separate assessments were carried out, one assessed the damage caused to household items while the second assessment calculated damage caused to property.
Fikuree stated that authorities assessed 90 households for the damages caused to household items, and found the damages reach over MVR 1.1 million.
While 30 households were assessed for damage to the building, the loss incurred reaches over MVR 35 million, said Fikuree.
"Therefore a total loss of MVR 36.1 million was caused due to the fire", Fikuree stated.
Fikuree also stated that NDMA have been assisting those who are in need of basic necessities and that NDMA is getting ready to distribute the relief funds received as assistance from local companies and the public. The process to deposit the funds into the accounts of the victims will begin next week, he said.
"We cannot cover 100% of the damages caused in any disaster" stated Fikuree.
The fire that originated at a chemical godown on Abadhahfehi Magu in capital Male' claimed the life of a 46 year old woman. While several houses were damaged in the fire, it is the largest fire that occurred in recent history of Maldives. The massive fire left 31 families homeless, and blazed through several residential buildings.
Police working to extinguish the fire - Photo: AVAS
