Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services has revealed 64 individuals from 19 different families have been assisted to move back to their home islands under the “Ahulu” programme.
The programme was initiated to help migrant families from islands residing in Male’, who are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to move back to their native islands. The gender ministry revealed 27 families applied for assistance to move back to their native islands under the programme. The ministry revealed assistance has been provided to 19 families to relocate to their home islands.
Under the “Ahulu” programme, the government provides an interest-free loan of USD 1,300 to families which require assistance to move back to their home islands. The loan has a repayment period of 3 years and a grace period of 1 year. Furthermore, an establishment allowance of USD 195 is provided on a monthly basis for six months under the programme.
Several migrant families from the atolls have decided to relocate from Male’ to their home islands, following the COVID-19 pandemic. During the first round of assistance, the government helped 10 families relocate to their home islands without any loans.