Families displaced in the tsunami still live in poor conditions: Muizzu

Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muizzu has expressed sadness over the fact that hundreds of families displaced in the tsunami that struck the Maldives eight years ago still remain without permanent housing.

While speaking at the official function held today at the Islamic Centre to mark National Unity Day, Muizzu said that the government has changed three times since the tsunami hit the Maldives eight years ago, but no adequate measures have been taken to provide housing for those displaced in the disaster.

He said that the current government, however, is making several efforts to address this problem. In this regard, he informed that 167 housing units are now complete in M. Kolhufushi, and that the remaining units will be handed over to their owners within two weeks. He said that even though the units will be handed over, they will not have permanent electricity until middle of next year.

“Three governments have come to power since the tsunami. But eight years after the tsunami, several families remain without permanent housing. They live in poor condition. This is shameful. We are working hard to complete the housing units in Kolhufushi and hand them over in the next two weeks. But permanent electricity cannot be connected until middle of next year. Harbour construction work for the island will also commence next year,” Muizzu said.

He said that permanent housing had been provided in November 2012 to 78 families that lost their homes in Th. Madifushi, and that construction is ongoing for 42 additional units which will be completed by the end of April 2013.

Referring to the situation in R. Dhuvaafaru, he said that 78 families remain without permanent housing, and that the project to construct housing units for these 78 families has been awarded to a party and that the work will begin this year and be completed in November 2013.

Muizzu said that five houses need to be built in Th. Vilufushi as well, and that work in this regard will commence next year. He also informed that the roads of the island will also be reconstructed next year.

At today’s function, the President handed out certificates to parties that have provided assistance to those who suffered in the tsunami, and launched a book on disaster mitigation mechanisms.