Chemical Warehouse Fire: 24 families still being provided temporary shelter

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has revealed that there are 24 families still under their care who were affected by the chemical warehouse fire on 20 September.

While it has been a over a month since the fire broke out, taking down four warehouses and six houses in its wake, 141 individuals from 24 families are still being provided temporary shelter.

NDMA revealed that they have been accommodated in 14 apartments in “Gaakoshi” as well as guesthouses and rented rooms.

Currently, only the individuals who require permanent shelter after losing their homes to the fire, are under state care, said the authority.

Further, the authority also said that they have allocated money for those who were living for rent in the apartments that burned down, as rent money for a three-month period.

All families have been given until 31 October to rent another residence and settle down. Until then, they will be provided food and essentials, revealed NDMA. Also, they assured that the families will be taken care of until the government finds another way to recover their losses.

Earlier investigations revealed that 12 types of chemicals were stored in the warehouse where the fire was originated, in Thilafusheege. They were imported after acquiring the required authorization from the Ministry of Defense and National Security during 2018.

Maldives Police Service (MPS) confirmed that there was no negligence on any part in relation to the incident and that their investigations also do not show that is was done purposefully.

A total of 786 had sought temporary aid out of which 450 are men and 336 are women, after the fire broke out on 20 September. All of those affected were provided temporary shelter by NDMA within the few days that followed. It had also taken the life of a 46-year-old woman, Aishath Shauna.

Out of the total amount, 636 are Maldivians and 104 Bangladeshi nationals, 19 Indians, 16 Nepalis, 14 Sri Lankan nationals, six Philippine nationals and one Egyptian.

The incident was the biggest such incident in recent history and the government has assured the public that necessary action will be taken to prevent such incidents from repeating.