The Canadian government has extended over MVR one million in support of the Maldives Government’s efforts in providing basic services to the homeless and the most vulnerable communities impacted by COVID-19 in Male’.

The Foreign Ministry said the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid and the Canadian High Commissioner to the Maldives David McKinnon signed the Contribution Agreement at a virtual ceremony held Monday afternoon.

The project entitled “Shelter and provision of basic needs for the homeless and vulnerable communities impacted by COVID-19 in Male” will be implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services of the Maldives. The project will directly support 400 vulnerable individuals, and will strengthen the capacity of government agencies to provide further assistance, said the ministry.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid thanked Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne and the International Development Minister of Canada, Karina Gould for showing Canada’s extraordinary generosity to the Maldives. He further noted that Canada’s support came at a time when Canada itself is combatting COVID-19 and said, that Canada’s gesture of goodwill to the Maldives “is yet another example of solidarity that Canada is always known for; caring for others, especially the most vulnerable when such care is most needed.”

High Commissioner of Canada, David McKinnon commended the work of the Government of Maldives in supporting the most vulnerable populations especially in the present context of a global pandemic and added that Canada is very pleased to be able to support the timely delivery of essential supplies and services to vulnerable communities and individuals in Maldives.

The government has revealed over 130 individuals who were displaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been provided shelter. The government is providing meals to over 390 individuals.

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