Maldives appreciates Bangladesh's help in addressing Covid-19 challenges

Maldives appreciates the government of Bangladesh for assistance extended in addressing the challenges posed by the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic, says Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.

In a video message during an event to celebrate the country’s Victory Day at the Bangladesh High Commission, the minister stated that the government of Maldives “deeply appreciates” the assistance extended by Bangladesh in addressing the challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic, on “multiple fronts”.

As such, the minister noted that Bangladesh has provided generous aid from providing humanitarian aid, the “excellent” medical services by medical professionals of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, to ferrying our students to Maldives and vulnerable Bangladeshis’ residing in the Maldives, back home.

The minister extended “heartfelt” felicitations and best wishes to the people and government of Bangladesh as well as the Bangladeshi community residing in the Maldives.

On the occasion of the Victory Day of Bangladesh, FM Shahid also sent a message of felicitations to his counterpart in Bangladesh, Dr. A. K Abdul Momen as well.

At a time the minister has assured the Bangladeshi government that the administration will keep a close eye on the safety of the Bangladeshi community residing in the island nation, Maldives has initiated a repatriation exercise for Bangladeshi nationals residing in Maldives, who have been affected by the pandemic. The government earlier even held a regularization programme for undocumented Bangladeshi workers.

By the first week of December, over 9,000 expatriate workers were repatriated through Maldivian, under the repatriation exercise.

Fayyaz Ismail, the Minister of Economic Development had earlier stated that the government aims to send back at least 20,000 undocumented workers prior to the end of the ongoing year. Fayyaz noted that expatriate workers will not be send back home, without their consent.

Maldives Immigration earlier revealed that more than 60,000 undocumented workers are residing illegally in the Maldives without valid documentations and/or passports, out of the 144,607 expatriate worker community in the country.