Migration from other islands welcome if flats are built for them: Hanimadhoo Council

Haa Dhaalu atoll Hanimadhoo Council has said that they would welcome people from other islands to move to Hanimadhoo if flats are built for them, as relocation should not be done in a way that causes loss or inconvenience to current residents.

In a social media post on Saturday, President's Office Spokesperson Heena Waleed announced that the government has decided to relocate the people of Hirimaradhoo to the island of Hanimadhoo.

Hanimadhoo Council President Abdul Sattar Hassan, however, told Mihaaru News that the government has not communicated any official decisions on the matter with the council as of yet. Once they do, the council will conduct public consultations on the matter, he said.

Hirimaradhoo, with a population of just 293, initially approached Hanimadhoo Council regarding relocation. Failing to get a response, they submitted the request to Kaafu atoll Thulusdhoo Council.

Sattar said that public consultations had been carried out even when Hirimaradhoo Council first approached them. He said that the majority of those who attended were of the view that it cannot be accommodated in a manner that would cause loss to residents of Hanimadhoo who are already in need of housing.

While there are 2,400 people registered in Hanimadhoo, they have a population of over 5000.

Hanimadhoo is one of the largest islands in the country. The last time land plots were issued in the island was in 2023, when land plots of 3000 sqft were issued.

Sattar highlighted that there are development projects that are yet to be carried out on the island, such as renovation of the mosque and roads. He said that after all this is done, there may not be enough space left to allocate further land plots, but it may be more feasible to build three bedroom flats.

Although relocation of Hirimaradhoo residents have been announced, it has not been disclosed yet how housing will be arranged for them.

Hanimadhoo Council maintains that they are positive towards migration from other islands, as long as housing units are built for the incomers.

Under the government's initiative to build 12,000 flats across the atolls, 500 housing units have been allocated for construction in Hanimadhoo. Sattar said that current residents of Hanimadhoo require 786 housing units themselves. He says that 3000 housing units will be needed if people from other islands are to relocated to Hanimadhoo.

Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef said that it is a major undertaking to relocate a people to another island. He said that a roadmap is being drafted for this, taking into account the many factors involved, including social issues.

Hanimadhoo has welcomed people from other islands before as well. As such, in the year 2000, residents of Hondaidhoo were relocated to Hanimadhoo. Then, after the 2004 tsunami, residents of Hathifushi were also relocated there.