44 land plots allocated from Thulusdhoo for relocation of Raiymandhoo residents

Thulusdhoo Council has officially allocated 44 plots of land to facilitate the relocation of residents from the scarcely-populated island of M. Raiymandhoo to K. Thulusdhoo.

In an interview with PSM News, the Housing Ministry confirmed the government’s decision to relocate the people of Raiymandhoo to Thulusdhoo. The Ministry further disclosed that the Thulusdhoo Council has formally notified them of the availability of these 44 plots to proceed with the relocation process.

The Ministry has also informed the Raiymandhoo Council that the necessary preliminary work for the execution of this project has already commenced.

Last October, Raiymandhoo Council’s vice president Hussain Khaleel, told Sun that while the island's total registered population is 240, the actual resident population at the time was only 80 people.

The residents of Raiymandhoo have long voiced concerns about the challenges posed by their small population. Asserting that they are deprived of basic rights and that sustainable living on the island is no longer feasible, the community launched a campaign for relocation. These concerns were directly shared with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during his visit to the island on September 22nd.

At the time, the President expressed his commitment to finding a permanent solution, stating that if the community wished to migrate to another island, the government would explore the feasibility of a dedicated housing project. He requested formal confirmation that at least 80 percent of the population supported the relocation.

The residents of Raiymandhoo specifically requested to be moved to an island near Malé area. 

The President assured that should the residents decide to relocate, the transition would be completed within one year of the commencement of housing construction. Under his vision for consolidation, the President proposed building a three-bedroom house on the new island for every household registered in Raiymandhoo. He also pledged to revise and increase the current relocation allowance of MVR 50,000 provided to migrating families.

Raiymandhoo is one of several small-population islands that have petitioned the government for relocation, following the precedent set by other islands in the past.

According to the 2022 census data, there are 32 islands in the Maldivian islands with a population of less than 500 people. Among these, five islands—including Raiymandhoo, V. Rakeedhoo, ADh. Dhidhdhoo, L. Mundoo, and B. Fehendhoo—have resident populations of fewer than 200 people.