National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has revealed aid worth over USD 44,000 has been provided to Maldivians stranded in India following the declaration of a 21-day lockdown in the country.
Speaking at the daily press briefing, Spokesperson of NEOC Mohamed Mabrook Azeez noted a large number of Maldivians have been stranded in India, adding the government is looking for any opportunity to bring them back to Maldives. Mabrook stated 155 Maldivians in India have been provided assistance through the universal health insurance scheme of Aasandha Company Limited. He added the financial assistance provided to Maldivians in India amid the lockdown amounts to over USD 44,000.
In addition, the spokesperson revealed the government is also assisting Maldivians living in Sri Lanka through the High Commission of Maldives in Colombo. In this regard, Mabrook said the high commission has attended to 109 cases involving the essential needs of Maldivians who are currently in Sri Lanka. He added the high commission is also providing logistical support, such as facilitating the transport of people to hospitals, exchanging money and acquiring medicine.
NEOC has assured support and assistance will be provided to all Maldivians living abroad amid the COVID-19 pandemic, through the respective diplomatic missions as much as possible.