Number of people living in poverty increases by 31 percent

The number of people registered as poor in Maldives has increased by 31 percent between the years 1436 H and 1437 H.

Coordinator at Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Mohamed Ahsan reported to “Sun” that there had been 12,335 people registered as poor and due for alms in the year 1436 H. He said the figure increased by 3,934 people in the year 1437 H.

The number of people registered as poor and due for alms in 1437 H were 16,269 people – a 31 percent increase compared to 1436 H.

Ministry of Islamic Affairs reports MVR 900 per person will be distributed as alms this year, same as the previous year. As such, MVR 14.6 million will be distributed as alms for the year 1437 H.

The ministry says alms will be distributed to the poor living in Male’ City, Vilimale’ and Hulhumale’ from October 15 to October 17.

3,155 people have been registered as poor from the Male’ area. They will be distributed alms from 9 am to 3 pm, with 30-minute breaks for prayer time.

The ministry said it will be issuing 150 tokens per day. And that alms can be distributed for up to 15 ID cards for each token.

Alms will also be issued to proxies as long as they bring the ID cards of those registered, says Ministry of Islamic Affairs.