Tsunami 26 December, 2004
The tsunami of December 26, 2004 affected every island in the Maldives-some more than others-and highlighted the economic and environmental vulnerability of the country. Following the tsunami, the government initiated a voluntary migration incentive scheme to reduce the number of inhabited islands and consolidate isolated settlements.
Most of the islands destroyed by the tsunami had little or no coastal protection and as part of the ongoing atoll development strategy, the concept of tsunami 'safe islands' is being implemented.
The idea of safe islands is to extend the population consolidation approach to establishing building and construction codes to provide safe areas where basic services in an emergency, particularly health, communication, transport and a buffer stock of food and water, can be provided. The features of safe islands are improved coastal protection, communication and transport facilities, housing, infrastructure, social services and adequate caqpacity and preparedness to manage emergencies and disasters.
The basis for selection of safe islands was size, availabilitty of existing government offices and availability of free space to serve as host islands for relocating population.
The 14 'safe islands' selected are:
HD Nolhivaranfaru * SH Funadhoo * ME Muli * KA Thulusdhoo * TH Vilufushi * LH Hinnavaru
* GD Thinadhoo * HD Kulhuduffushi * RA Dhuvaafaru * DH Kudahuvadhoo * TH Thimarafushi *
LA Gan * GA Villingili * SE Gan-Hithadhoo
The 'most Tsunami affected' islands are:
*KA Dhiffushi * DH Ribudhoo * DH Vaanee * TH Madifushi * LA Mundhoo * LA Maabaidhoo *
ME Madifushi * DH Kudahuvadhoo * DH Gemendhoo * TH Vilafushi * LA Gan * LA Kalhaidhoo * RA Kandhdhudhoo * ME Kolufushi