President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has praised the Maldivian people for their compassion, solidarity, and unwavering care during times of national crisis.

In a post shared on X to mark National Unity Day, President Dr Muizzu emphasised the unity and compassion of the Maldivian people, describing Maldives as a close-knit and caring nation that comes together as one family in times of adversity.

To commemorate National Unity Day, President Dr Muizzu, along with senior government officials, ministers, and staff, gathered near the former Huravee Building to pay tribute to the lives lost and the resilience demonstrated during the devastating tsunami of 2004.

The Indian Ocean tsunami struck the Maldives on December 26, 2004, at 9:23 am, leaving a catastrophic impact on the island nation. The disaster affected all but nine of the Maldives’ 199 inhabited islands, claiming the lives of 82 people, leaving 26 missing, and displacing over 15,000. Thirteen islands were completely evacuated, and the economic toll was staggering, with an estimated loss of USD 450 million—equivalent to 62 per cent of the country’s GDP at the time.

Despite the devastation, the Maldivian people demonstrated remarkable courage, solidarity, and compassion in supporting one another through the aftermath. In recognition of this collective resilience, December 26 is observed annually as National Unity Day.