The Maldives received a significant boost to its disaster management capability on Monday, following the official handover of modern irrigation pumps donated by the China Machinery Engineering Group Corporation Ltd. (CMEC).
The high-profile ceremony, held at Central Park in Hulhumale, was a testament to strengthening bilateral cooperation and was graced by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
The donation was formally presented by CMEC Deputy General Manager Liu Xiaoda. Accepting the vital machinery on behalf of the Maldivian government was Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon.
The donation highlighted the strategic importance placed on enhancing national resilience against environmental challenges, particularly severe weather events common to the archipelago.
The government emphasised that the new irrigation pumps will be instrumental in facilitating rapid irrigation works during critical periods. Specifically, the equipment is expected to drastically improve the nation’s ability to mitigate potential damage in times of heavy rainfall and flooding, making them a key asset in future disaster response efforts.
The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, Dr Abdulla Muththalib, and the Ambassador of China to Maldives, Kong Xianhua.