The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has announced a major expansion of its emergency response infrastructure with the development of fully equipped Regional Emergency Operation Centres (REOCs) across the Maldives.
NDMA is developing these centres in Hithadhoo (Addu City), Laamu Atoll, and Thinadhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. Currently, all phases of disaster response are centralised in Male’, leading to critical delays in delivering timely aid to the atolls.
To address this challenge, NDMA Chief Executive Hisan Hassan emphasised that these new centres will drastically reduce response times during emergencies by enabling rapid deployment of resources and personnel.
The REOCs will house warehouses stocked with essential emergency supplies, including relief items for victims, protective gear, and equipment for response agencies. Beyond disaster response, the centres will serve as hubs for community preparedness, hosting training programmes and simulations to build resilience and minimise future risks.
“Sometimes there are difficulties in sending goods by air and sea. It takes time. It causes difficulties for those who need help. The most important thing is to speed it up,” Hisan stressed.
In tandem with the REOC initiative, NDMA has begun establishing irrigation facilities nationwide to combat flood-related challenges and plans to distribute water pumps to all islands within the next two years. Additionally, fire-fighting equipment is being procured and will be delivered to 40 islands, prioritising those most vulnerable, in collaboration with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).