The Gender Ministry has announced that assistance will be provided by the state to families who wish to relocate to their islands from capital Male’.
Several families who moved to the capital for different purposes are struggling to survive in the capital during the economic fall out following the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has made the decision to provide assistance to such families who wish to move back to their islands.
Gender Minister Aishath Mohamed Didi said the assistance will be provided to families living in Male’ with young children. Such families have been instructed to contact the ministry by calling its hotline, 1421.
Assistance to move back to islands will be provided for upto 500 families every year, said the ministry. A budget of MVR 26.7 million has been allocated for the purpose, and a special guideline has been structured regarding the issuance of financial assistance. The guidelines will be published in the gazette soon, said the ministry. The assistance provided to the families will include light loans that can be paid back with ease.
A special committee will assess the applicants who wish to receive the government assistance, and priority will be given to large families, families with several children and families with special needs children.
