The Ministry of Social and Family Development has announced that 226 social support workers have been trained across 43 islands over the past two years, to strengthen community-based social protection mechanisms.

According to the Ministry, the initiative focuses on establishing Social Assistance Groups, known as Ibama groups, to provide coordinated support for vulnerable individuals in island communities. These groups are formed in partnership with relevant institutions to ensure timely intervention, care, and assistance at island level.

The Ministry stated that the Government began forming Ibama groups after enhancing national guidelines for training community support personnel. So far, workers have been trained in eight atolls, with preparations underway to establish Ibama groups in two additional atolls.

Authorities noted that the programme aims to improve the identification of individuals in vulnerable circumstances, streamline the provision of care, and assess the resources required to deliver effective, island-level social services.