Government to provide financial assistance for families relocating from Male’ to atolls due to COVID-19

Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services has decided to provide financial assistance for families forced to relocate from Male’ to the atolls due to the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The gender ministry has published a new regulation on assisting families that are severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new regulation states a special monthly allowance of USD 195 will be provided to families that are forced to relocate from Male’ to their home islands in the atolls due to the financial crisis. The ministry said a total of USD 1.7 million will be spent this year to assist the relocation of over 500 families.

As per the new regulation, the gender ministry is required to establish a registry of families under assistance and families requesting assistance. The application for the assistance programme must be submitted to the respective island council. The gender ministry must inform of the eligibility of an individual or family for the programme within 30 days of receiving the application.

The regulation states eligible families will be provided USD 195 as an establishment allowance for six months. The ministry added the families will also be provided a one-way air-ticket, along with a certain percentage of the expenses required to renovate or reconstruct their homes. The ministry said a loan which does not exceed USD 1,300 will also be issued for families to buy furniture and carry out necessary renovations.

To be eligible for the programme, the family must have a child under the age of 18 under their guardianship. The eligibility of families will be assessed based on their capabilities to relocate and the availability of living arrangements in the island they wish to relocate to.

Furthermore, individuals applying for the programme must have lived in Male’ region for at least five years. Their monthly income must also be below the threshold described in the poverty assessment criteria of National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).

Families relocating under the programme will be monitored by the government for a duration of one year. Such families must also provide details of their living conditions every three months to the respective island council, through the allocated form.