The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has announced that emergency equipment and relief supplies will be pre-positioned at Regional Emergency Operation Centres (HEOCs) being established across the country, in a move aimed at improving response times to disasters in the atolls.

NDMA confirmed that efforts are under way to develop regional emergency operation centres in Seenu Hithadhoo and Laamu atoll to decentralise disaster response operations currently coordinated from Malé. NDMA said the centralised system has often resulted in delays in delivering assistance to islands affected by emergencies.

Chief Executive of NDMA Hisaan Hassan said emergency supplies will be stored at warehouses within the regional centres, including relief items for affected communities, protective gear and equipment required by response agencies. He noted that the centres will also be used outside of emergency periods to conduct community preparedness programmes and training activities, allowing the facilities to function as multi-purpose disaster preparedness hubs.

Hisaan said pre-positioning equipment in the atolls would help address logistical challenges associated with transporting supplies by air and sea during emergencies, which can delay assistance to communities in need.

NDMA confirmed that a regional emergency operation centre is being developed in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Thinadhoo. The Authority said expanding disaster response resources in the atolls is a priority, with plans to gradually extend such facilities to more islands.

As part of disaster preparedness measures, Hisaan said efforts are under way to improve water drainage in islands nationwide, with water pumps to be provided to all islands within the next two years to address flooding. He added that NDMA is also working to procure fire extinguishing equiptments for distribution to 40 islands in the initial phase, in coordination with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), prioritising islands most in need.