Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb says that local airline ‘Maldivian’ has organized a flight to Nepal’s Kathmandu sometime today, to evacuate Maldivians from the country.
In a tweet last night, Adeeb said that, “As instructed by HEP Yameen, Tourism industry sponsored the Maldivian flight to bring Maldivian's in Nepal Tomorrow,coordinated by FM Dunya”.
He however did not specify which businesses sponsored the rescue operation.
In another tweet, Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Saheem Ali Saeed had said that the Ministry was ready to use Ministry funds to help evacuate Maldivian students from Nepal. He however did not specify which funds shall be used.
On Sunday, Maldivian students in Nepal revealed that they have been cut off from basic needs such as water, electricity and access to the internet, in the wake of the earthquake. Maldivian students have been on the streets since yesterday, since the tremors of the quake has made staying indoors a big risk.
The students also revealed that they want to come to Maldives till basic services are restored and that they have asked this of the Maldivian government as well.
Maldivian students studying medicine in Nepal have been working in the frontlines, aiding rescue efforts.