Ramadan consistently brings higher household expenses compared to other months, with food costs rising significantly during this period. Recognising this challenge, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu became the first leader to introduce relief measures using state revenue.

During his first Ramadan in office, President Dr Muizzu ensured that every household received 10 kilograms of rice and 10 kilograms of flour free of charge through the State Trading Organisation (STO).

Building on this initiative in his second year, he expanded support by providing each household with a free case of canned tuna through MIFCO, the state-owned fisheries company.

From the moment President Dr Muizzu announced the canned fish distribution, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and its affiliated media began circulating various criticisms. Initially, they claimed the initiative would never materialise.

However, as distribution began in the outer islands, they shifted focus to criticising the size of the canned fish cases, alleging that the cans would be difficult to open. These concerns were quickly dispelled once households received their cases, finding them identical in size and accessibility to standard MIFCO products.

The opposition then redirected its attention to the long queues in Malé during the distribution process. While there were indeed large crowds on the first night due to high demand, eyewitnesses confirmed that measures were quickly taken to reduce waiting times.

Acknowledging Malé’s high population density, the Government extended the distribution period until February 27 to ensure accessibility. The revised schedule is as follows:

Additionally, Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar announced the introduction of a new distribution point in the Malé region, based on insights from the initial phase.

Under previous administrations, including the MDP government, citizens contributed significantly to state revenue through taxation. While these administrations provided standard services as required by law, there was room for additional measures to alleviate financial burdens.

Although the previous administration introduced various economic policies and compensation schemes, their effectiveness in providing direct relief to citizens remains debated. During challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, questions arose regarding the procurement of essential medical equipment and the government’s approach to financial relief.

President Dr Muizzu's administration has introduced a different approach, prioritising direct relief measures for citizens. The Roadha Hadhiya initiative represents one element of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Maldivians. This approach focuses on implementing practical solutions to address the cost-of-living challenges faced by households, particularly during significant occasions such as Ramadan.