Skip to main content

The price of isolation



THE SITUATION


"Emerging trend shows that the Northern atolls are becoming poorer compared to the southern atolls." 7th National Development Plan.
A survey on Vulnerability and poverty was conducted in 1998 and 2004.


According to 2004 survey report, 'Households living in the South had the best chance of escaping poverty and the lowest probability of falling back. Households in the North region faced the highest probability of remaining in, or falling into, poverty'.


For Development purposes the country is divided into five regions; North, North Central, Central, South Central and South. Thus developmental projects are aimed at covering major regions rather than a single atoll. The above report also states that“Income poverty is evidently greatest in the North (Ha, Hdh. Sh) and Central North, and apart from Male’, it is lowest in South and Central South”


WHY


There is no single reason for poverty. However one very important reason could be isolation: The existence of many numbers of islands with small populations, without easy accessibility to anywhere, limiting access to economic opportunities and demand for goods and services.


What is also obvious is that in this region (ha, Hdh, Sh), collective effort and action from the grass root level, to lift ourselves from poverty is lacking. At the same time we are very inactive in, effectively lobbying and pressuring the relevant parties to help us achieve our desired goals.


It is crucial that the region (ha, Hdh, Sh) as a whole should come together and join hands with all stake holders in order to make a difference and lift ourselves from poverty.


RAISING OUR VOICE

We can raise our voice on many issues. However, to get results, initially it is wise to concentrate on few, which are CRUCIAL to make a difference. That is


1. Population consolidation
2. Population consolidation
3. Population consolidation
4. Education and awareness
5. Economic opportunities (especially access to markets)
Labels:

Comments

Anonymous said…
We can raise our voice, but who will listen? Is there a responsible and accountable government in the Maldives? I’m waiting….. for the day where “action will speak louder than words”. Can u remember how many years have passed after the announcement of population consolidation programme by the government? in how many islands did people lived 29 years ago, and today in how many islands are people living? I think this is enough.
But GB wants another 5 more year term to complete the reform agenda heheheee. Is this not a great joke? Don’t he have any advisor to tell him, the reason for a step-down now
Shame on u GB!
5 January 2008 at 23:14
Muna Mohamed said…
Thanks for highliting it. we too feel, there is no one to listen from those who have to listen to us. anyway my objective is to tell the people of this region (the opinion leaders, i'm aware this blog will have a limited reach) lets get organized and start doing what needs to be done and at the same time do a better job of pressuring.
6 January 2008 at 07:36
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Divide and rule!

We are an unfortunate lot. I mean we are already divided geographically to insignificant proportions making it unsustainable, unfeasible and not viable to do and sustain anything valuable. (On top of that some bigger islands want to stay divided administratively to get two or more councils!!). In this state the perks available to any ruler is ignorance of his subjects, them being busy with their quarrels, arguments, and differences to notice the sorry state they are in. This makes The Maldives a heaven to get power, to stay in power and sustain that power without doing much, for centuries to come! Let me get to the point. According to last census, 75 islands have a population of less than 500, 58 islands have a pop. between 500-1000, and only 65 islands have more than 1000 pop. If I have my way, an inhabited island should have at least 1000 pop (which is not much). If it does not fit the criteria, the people should be offered the option to move to bigger islands. Any i
2 comments
Read more

Can we, women of this country, have some space to grow food and offer food security to our family?

Illustration by Aishath Rishtha   Translation: “When the Last Tree Is Cut Down, the Last Fish Eaten, and the Last Stream Poisoned, You Will Realize That You Cannot Eat Money”  The article was published in  Maldives Economic Review  in its March 2020 Issue 3.  To read the full article click link at end  2014: Think about it? In 2014, I started writing a book using census and all available economic data on every atoll including data on how many uninhabited islands each atoll has. I thought that showing demographic, geographic and economic data will make people realize we need to do something about abandoning such rich resources for a congested living in Male’…. I shared the first draft with friends and mother thinking everyone will be very pleased. They weren’t happy. Major problem seemed to be - “just throwing data on people is not enough… we need to talk about some solutions. Take food security for one…..” Outline of the article 2014: Think about it? 2016: Write a
Post a Comment
Read more

Towards a more equitable budget

The article was published in Maldives Economic Review in its December 2019 Issue 2.  To read the full article click link at end  World Bank in an introductory economic report on Maldives in 1979 states that “Male dominates the political, economic, and social structure of the country. It is here that a small national elite presides over the archipelago's affairs and takes decisions that are crucial to the well-being of the atolls. Not surprisingly, a disproportionate share of government expenditures directly benefits Male and ensures its residents a standard of living that is substantially higher than in the atolls The other islands now rely upon it as their main trading post and contact point with the rest of the world” Fifty years later Male’ has become one of the most congested cities in the world with a population density of 65,201 per km according to National Bureau of Statistics of Maldives. Top reasons for migration as per census is; as a return migrant, educati
Post a Comment
Read more