Government to grant MVR 3,000 as allowance to move back to islands

Group of people at a harbour in Male' City | Photo: Sun

Male’, Maldives – The government of Maldives has formulated a set of regulations, under which, MVR 3,000 would be granted to those who wish to move back to their native islands from Male’, as a result of a disruption of financial situation of the individual, due to Covid-19.

The regulations state that recipients of the aid must be a Maldivian national who has at least one child below the age of 18 and must be willing to want to move to another island, but be facing difficulties to do so. Additionally, the requirements also state that they should have living arrangements finalized, or be able to finalize living arrangements, as well as receive a monthly income less than the amount set by the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) for poor income individuals.

Further, the individual must also have lived in Male’ for over a year, in order to receive the monthly allowance of MVR 3,000 for six months, as well as the one way ticket to travel to the desired destination. The announcement also read that accommodation renovation and furniture procurement finances will also be arranged to a percentage, as per requirement.

Those who require assistance and fall under the categories specified in the regulation are urged to apply via a specially purposed form to the island council of the island in which they wish to reside in, following which, the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social services must respond in writing whether the applicant is eligible or not, for the requested aid.

According to the regulations, those who apply and are granted financial assistance under this regulation would required to be put on a registry, which would have be managed by the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services. Apart from this, the Ministry would also be required to monitor the status of those who receive aid, for a period of one year.

While further details are available on the gazette regarding the matter, thew Ministry had previously stated that 500 families would receive the aid and that MVR 26.7 million has been allocated for the purpose.