Malé, Maldives – Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) reveals that fire has broken out today in Villimalé children’s shelter, “Kudakudhinge Hiya” for the third time this year.
At approximately this morning, MNDF received information of another fire break out in Villimalé children’s shelter. The fire broke out in the fourth floor of the Children’s shelter and it was controlled around 06:10 with the help of fire fighters. MNDF informs that the fire was completely distinguished at approximately 07:20.
While some of the equipments were damaged to different extents due to the fire, MNDF reports that no-one was injured in the incident and that Police is currently investigating the matter.
A fire also broke out two times earlier at the same facility. Although no one was injured in the incident at both times, the facility injured major damages the first time.
Regarding the previous fire, in May 10, Ombudsperson appointed for the protection of children’s rights Niumath Shafeeg said the fire was due to the lack of adequate fire safety measures.
While giving information to local media “Avas”, the Ombudsperson said that a team was sent to shelter within an hour following the fire incident. She said that after an evaluation of the location, it was noted that adequate safety measures were not implemented at the shelter.
On June 9, Gender Minister Aishath Mohamed Didi said that the state wards at the children’s shelter in Villimalé started the second fire at the facility.
Kudakudhinge Hiya is located in Villingili which is the fifth ward of Male’ the capital of Maldives. This residential care facility is managed by the Ministry of Gender. The institution is established to provide a safe, secure and enabling environment for vulnerable children who have no other means of primary care. There are over a hundred children residing in the facility.
