Disaster risk mitigation, adaptation and resilience are directly linked to the overall vision for the defence of Maldives, says Minister of Defence and National Security, Mariya Ahmed Didi.
She made this statement while addressing the opening ceremony of the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief workshop organized by the National Disaster Management Authority of the Maldives and Hawaii’s Centre for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM).
Focusing on multi-agency coordination in Disaster Response and Humanitarian Assistance, the workshop will proceed for three days.
In her statement, Minister Mariya stated that the island nation requires the support of its international partners to realize the vision for the defence of the Maldives.
Highlighting that global warming, with its related impacts, is an existential threat for the Maldives, with an increase in reported incidences of damage due to floods, strong winds, swells, storm surges and other extreme weather events, Mariya noted that incidents of chemical fires and ships running aground can have a significant impact on the country’s urban and natural environments.
Further, she went on to shed light on the importance of multi-agency coordination in responding to such emergencies.
The minister went on to express gratitude to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for instituting the National Disaster Management Authority as stipulated in the Statute and empowering NDMA to work independently with their own budget and planning priorities.
Maldivians are a resilient people. We accept our geographic uniqueness. Our struggle is to protect our islands for future generations through effective adaptation and mitigation measures. I am mindful that those present here are disaster managers and responders; and our focus is on swift, efficient and coordinated response when disasters strike”Mariya Didi, Maldives Minister of Defence.
She also extended gratitude to the government of U.S., the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the CFE-DM for the fast response in prioritizing the request by Maldives and making the programme a reality within the span of six months.
The Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Mission to Maldives Andrea Appell, Indian High Commissioner to Maldives Munu Mahawar, CFE-DM’s Regional Humanitarian Civil-Military Advisor Josh Szimonisz, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal and NDMA’s Chief Executive Hisan Hassan attended the opening ceremony of the workshop.
