HRCM publicizes information from outlying islands facing Covid-19 crisis

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has revealed that two island councils have expressed concern over lack of sufficient food in the islands, with nine islands lacking food supply for one month.

This was revealed by the commission through information collected from island councils facing hindrances in connection to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The information was collected for the period between May 1 – 7.

This was done in order to “understand the human rights situation with regard to Covid-19” and the commission has since revealed that this information has been shared with relevant authorities.

According to the information received, two islands face a shortage of sufficient food and nine islands have inadequate food supplies in their storage for a one-month period.

Further, the commission received information from six islands that have had a hike in food prices due to the islands. Only two councils are reported to have considered the prices to be higher than the prices set by the government.

One island council had reported that there is a family struggling to “put food on the table” due to the pandemic, said HRCM.

HRCM also stated that three island councils had reported that the community of migrant workers on the island were facing difficulty in acquiring food.

While most of the islands have sufficient supplies of drinking water stored, four island councils have reported a shortage in drinking water supply.

In addition, one island council revealed that there was a rise in price of bottled water sold in shops.

23 island councils reported that they did not have an adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

HRCM revealed that there are seven islands where individuals have been placed under quarantine and nine islands where individuals have been placed in home isolation. Other than six islands, all councils reported that they had the required arrangements in place to place residents in quarantine.

Three island councils have cited a lack in availability of cooking gas.

About 334 residents from 14 islands had lost their jobs due to the impacts of the pandemic.

Five councils reported that they have currently halted vaccination services, while most island councils reported different arraignments in place to provide vaccines.

Further, four island councils reported that distance learning arrangements in place were not fully accessible to students and three islands have raised concerns due to lack of internet services.