Hirimaradhoo residents request relocation to Thulusdhoo

Residents of the island of Hirimaradhoo in Haa Dhaalu atoll have requested the government to relocate them to Kaafu atoll Thulusdhoo.

Hirimaradhoo Council met with the Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar today, where they informed him that the people of Hirimaradhoo wish to take up residence in another island.

In a post on social media X, Minister Shareef stated that the Hirimaradhoo Council had made this request in today's meeting. He said that the residents have requested relocation to Kaafu atoll Thulusdhoo.

Hirimaradhoo is the island with the lowest population in Haa Dhaalu atoll, which has a total of thirteen islands. As per the last census, the island has a resident population of just 293, with 157 men and 136 women.

Statistics indicate that the population of the island is continuing to decrease annually. As such, the 2014 census recorded the island's resident population at 314.

Residents from islands in Haa Dhaalu atoll have been relocated earlier as well. Some islands in the atoll from which people have been relocated include Kumburudhoo, Faridhoo and Maavaidhoo. Residents from these three islands had at the time been relocated to Hanimadhoo and Nolhivaramfaru in the same atoll.