Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has revealed over USD 474,000 has been spent on Maldivians stranded in foreign countries.
Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, Foreign Minister Shahid said USD 474,105 has been spent on evacuating Maldivians, for ticket fare to evacuate Maldivians abroad and as assistance to Maldivians stranded abroad. The foreign minister said all locals willing to return are brought back to the country under a programme overlooked personally by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in efforts to ensure no locals are in grave situation in foreign countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The minister said the administration worked to provide financial assistance to stranded Maldivians in foreign countries due to border closures and interruptions in air transportation. He assured all expenses are recorded and audited since these are large financial transactions.
Furthermore, the foreign minister hailed the initiation of the administration to evacuate locals in other countries. Noting although the priority of the administration is to ensure no locals are in any unfavourable situations amid the pandemic, the minister expressed there may be times assistance may not reach immediately.
Ministry of Finance had earlier revealed over USD 62 million has been spent towards COVID-19 related efforts so far.