President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has attached special emphasis to resilience and preparedness against natural disasters, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef said Thursday.
The Vice President made these remarks at the inauguration of the “Viluntheri 20” exhibition held in remembrance of the devastating 2004 tsunami.
Speaking after inaugurating the exhibition organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Vice President pointed out that the tsunami disaster set the country’s economy and development back by years, causing loss of lives and left a lot more homeless.
He said President Muizzu has attached special emphasis to strengthen the country’s resilience against such natural disasters, pointing out the Maldives Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy which was endorsed recently as its affirmation.
"The development of a disaster risk reduction strategy demonstrates the importance the President attaches to this. We are here to build a country that is resilient to climate change and natural disasters," he said.
Speaking at the ceremony, NDMA’s Chief Executive Hisan Hassan said Maldives was able to overcome the devastation caused by the tsunami 20 years ago because of the incredible spirit of unity and solidarity demonstrated by Maldivians.
Hisan highlighted the efforts successive governments have put in to protect the country from such natural disasters since then.
Noting the formulation of a National Emergency Operations Plan, he said responsibilities and functions of each and every relevant authority have been clearly defined under the plan.
"Committees have been formed at island level to provide rapid response and community emergency response teams are being established. A lot of work is being done to provide them with the resources they need,” Hisan explained.
National Unity Day, marked on 26 December, serves as a reminder of the incredible spirit of unity and solidarity demonstrated by Maldivians in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami. On that fateful day, massive tsunami waves hit several countries in the Southeast Asia region, resulting in an unprecedented scale of death and destruction.
As a low-lying island nation, the Maldives bore the full impact of the tsunami, which devastated islands, infrastructure, and livelihoods. The catastrophe claimed 82 lives, left 26 individuals unaccounted for, and rendered over 15,000 people homeless.
In the face of this tragedy, Maldivians came together in an extraordinary show of unity and harmony, proving that togetherness is key to overcoming such challenges. The nation's resilience and solidarity in the wake of the tsunami demonstrated to the world the strength and unity of the Maldivian people.