Resettlement of Gaadhoo islanders underway

Resettlement of Laamu atoll Gaadhoo islanders to Fonadhoo of the same atoll has begun on Monday, with 38 families having moved completely.

Only around 170 people live in Gaadhoo which has a registered population of over 420 people.  The islanders are being relocated under the population consolidation policy due to the small residing population, and the accompanying economic infeasibility of providing basic amenities and services such as health care and education.

According to the island council, 85 houses, each with 3 rooms in a land plot of 3000 square feet have been constructed by the government for resettlement, and 23 other land plots have been allotted to Gaadhoo islanders.

MVR60,000 (US$3891) will be paid as resettlement costs for each household, a MVR10,000 (US$648.5) increase after demands for MVR100,000 (US$6485).