Provision of permanent housing begins for Kolhufushi people displaced during tsunami

The government commenced handing over the keys last Monday, of permanent housing units for the people of M. Kolhufushi who lost their homes during the tsunami in December 2004.

Kolhufushi was one of the islands most badly affected by the tsunami.

The government in collaboration with with Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has plans to build 168 houses.

Kolhufushi Council President Eesa Mumdhoodh told Sun Online that 20 houses have been handed over to owners in the first round.

He informed that even though the keys were handed over, it is not yet possible to live in the houses as painting, sewerage, electricity connection and other work remain unfinished.

“The keys have been handed over. But how can people live there? There’s no electricity. The power station has also not been completed. Sewerage hasn’t been connected. Painting isn’t finished. There’s no water. Only the house is complete. A lot of people are complaining. There’s no furniture also,” Mumdhoodh explained the condition of the houses.

He said that work is under way at a good pace for the 148 remaining housing units as well, and that keys will be handed over to owners as soon as they are completed.

Eight years after the tsunami, several families that lost their homes still live in temporary shelters in poor conditions.