Maldives Resilient Housing Guidance Book Launched

News

The inauguration of the Resilient Housing Guidance for the Maldives book was held today, 2nd December 2024, marking a significant step towards enhancing the country’s resilience to disasters and climate change.

The book was launched by the Minister of Construction and Infrastructure, Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, who also handed it over to the Minister of State for Cities, Local Government, and Public Works, Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim.

Developed under the Housing Resilience Technical Assistance of the World Bank, the guidance book aims to help Maldivians strengthen their homes, making them safer, more resilient, and comfortable to live in, while addressing the challenges posed by climate change and disasters.

The event saw participation from various Island Councils, who attended the ceremony online, alongside officials from different Ministries, offices, and international bodies based in Male’ City. The Senior Housing Specialist of the World Bank, Ms. Dao Harrison, also attended and delivered remarks on the significance of this initiative for the country’s sustainable housing development.

Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib and the Chief Executive Officer of the Local Government Authority, Mohamed Nimal, both delivered special addresses during the ceremony. They emphasized the importance of resilient housing and the need for a comprehensive handbook to guide the development of disaster-resilient homes across the country.

The guidance book is the result of a collaborative effort between Build Change and Riyan Private Limited, with funding support from the World Bank, the Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery, the Government of Japan, and the Climate Change Finance Gap Fund. A technical presentation on resilient housing was also delivered virtually by International Expert on Resilient Building, Elizabeth Hausler, who discussed the importance of building homes that can withstand natural disasters.

A panel discussion followed, featuring key figures including the President of Noonu Atoll Council, Mohamed Basheer; Director of the CIDD Department at the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure, Fathimath Shaufa; Director of Riyan Pvt Ltd, Fathimath Rasheed; and Project Manager and Contractor, Ibrahim Jaleel. The discussion focused on the key aspects of resilient housing and the future direction for strengthening housing infrastructure across the Maldives.

The launch event is part of a broader initiative, with a formal ceremony for the handbook planned to take place later this week in Fuvahmulah City and Ha Thuraakunu. This resilient housing guide is set to play a pivotal role in ensuring that the Maldives’ housing sector is better equipped to face the challenges of climate change and future disasters.