Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan has revealed that MVR 1.8 million was spent to charter the flight to repatriate Maldivians facing hardship in Syria.
The Ministry organized the repatriation of five Maldivian families who had gone to join the war in Syria after learning about their difficult circumstances on the Syria-Turkey border. This includes 15 children, their mothers - 5 women, and one man.
The flight transporting them arrived in Maldives arrived in the early hours of Tuesday morning. All 21 of them was transferred to the rehabilitation centre in Himmafushi on arrival.
"We brought them on a chartered flight, which cost about USD 120,000 [MVR 1,848,000]. That is the cost for a two way trip," the Minister said.
The Minister stated that all expenses of rehabilitation and reintegration of persons repatriated from warzones will be borne by the governement.
"Some foreign organizations have contributed towards establishing a reintegration centre, including both technical and financial aid. However, the recurrent costs will be borne by the government. Even currently, we are receiving expertise from foreign organizations," Ihusan explained.
"The money spent for this purpose [repatriation of Maldivians who have travelled to warzones] is not a financial burden on the State. The State will not forsake any Maldivian citizen," assured the Minister.
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