Authorities have revealed that there are currently 7,501 registered Maldivian stranded abroad.

Speaking to press regarding the latest updates of the current situation in the Maldives since the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) emerged in the country on 7 March, spokesperson for all things Covid-19, Mabrook Aziz revealed that a total of 8,058 Maldivians residing abroad have registered to date.

Out of the 8,058, some have been brought back to the Maldives, said the spokesperson.

With this being said, there are 7,501 registered Maldivians who are still stranded abroad in several countries including Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.

This comes at a time the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in tirelessly working to bring back the Maldivians stranded abroad and provide them any assistance they need. As such, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid held discussions with heads of diplomatic missions via video conference on Monday, regarding the situation of Maldivians residing abroad.

FM Shahid requested the diplomats to make “every effort” to provide assistance for Maldivian citizens stranded abroad as a result of Covid-19.

The government has also made it easier for Maldivian residing abroad to contact the government and reach out for assistance if required, through embassies.

The Maldives minister has been monitoring the situation of Maldivians abroad via telephonic conferences with foreign officials as well.

Also at the press conference, Mabrook revealed that Maldives currently has 97 operational ventilators across the atoll hospitals as well as private and state-run hospitals in the capital.