Maldives is currently facing a situation where a civil defense force is non-existent: Zahir

Ibrahim Zahir, an expert in maritime operations, has stated that the Maldives is currently facing the consequences of lacking a dedicated civil defense force.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program on Sunday night, Zahir stated that developed nations across the world maintain dedicated civil defense forces. Zahir further explained that these countries adopt this model because merging the military and civil defense forces leads to numerous complications, making it difficult to effectively manage and develop such services.

Currently, all our operations are conducted through the National Coast Guard and Fire Service, which are established within the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). However, in many developed nations, firefighting services are integrated into a separate Civil Defense Force. This separation between the military and civil defense is often implemented because managing and developing these services within a military framework presents significant challenges. To address these complexities and ensure more effective development, such services are typically decoupled from the armed forces.

Ibrahim Zahir

Zahir stated that the Coast Guard and Fire and Rescue Services, both operating under the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), currently respond to all incidents across the country. He expressed concern over this arrangement, noting that firefighters and police officers are being deployed to maritime operations that should fall under the primary jurisdiction of the Coast Guard.

Zahir further noted that marine training and fire training are distinct disciplines, emphasizing that Coast Guard personnel are specifically trained to make various tactical decisions at sea.

Furthermore, Zahir questioned whether there was adequate preparation for the dangerous incident that occurred on August 5, specifically raising concerns regarding the deployment of a police officer in this operation. Zahir stated that the loss of a trained firefighter, a police officer, and a civilian in this operation is an irreparable loss.

The three individuals reported missing in the tragic incident on August 5 have yet to be located. In an effort to bolster search operations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided on August 8 to seek international assistance.