The majority of the people living in V. Rakeedhoo, a small island of just a few dozen residents, wish to relocate to Rasmale’, said the local council on Sunday, a day after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu promised to relocate them to a larger island if they reach a majority consensus on such a decision.
Rakeedhoo has a registered population of some 360 islands. However, only 61 people remain in the island, many of them senior citizens.
Rakeedhoo Council has been asking the government for years to relocate them to a larger island. But instead of relocating people from the island, the administration of President Muizzu’s predecessor, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, had built a harbor and satellite school in the island, the latter of which started classes with just three students.
President Muizzu, who is on an eight-day tour of four atolls in central Maldives, visited Rakeedhoo on Saturday morning in his last stop in the V. Atoll leg of his tour.
Residents of V. Rakeedhoo meet with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on September 20, 2025. (Photo/President's Office)
During a community meeting with President Muizzu, many of the residents said they wish to be relocated to an island close to the capital, where essential services and infrastructure aren’t lacking.
Responding to the appeals, President Muizzu said that he would proceed with relocation if at least 80 percent of Rakeedhoo’s registered population are in favor of such a decisions.
He promised that if Rakeedhoo’s residents decide in favor of relocating, they will be relocated to an island that has a strong infrastructure and public service system.
Rakeedhoo Council’s president Abdulla Rasheed said that the majority of people wish to relocate to Rasmale’, an artificial island being reclaimed in Fushi Dhiggaru Falhu.
He said that there are also some people who wish to relocate to either K. Thulusdhoo or K. Himmafushi.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is greeted upon arrival in V. Rakeedhoo on September 20, 2025. (Photo/President's Office)
He said the council will soon engage in formal efforts to assess how the people of Rakeedhoo stand on the subject.
“They aren’t going to relocate based on the promise of land alone. They will go once homes are built for them and the place meets habitable standards,” said Rasheed, who heads the council of the Maldivian island with the smallest population.
Rasheed said that the council will also confirm the number of people who wish to remain in Rakeedhoo.
Land reclamation works in Fushi Dhiggaru Falhu – the site for the incumbent administration’s largest housing project – the Rasmale’ project – commenced in December 2023. The administration had initially aimed to complete reclamation works in eight months, but it remains delayed amid various holdups.
V. Rakeedhoo. (Photo/Water Solutions)
Describing the situation in Rakeedhoo, Rasheed said that that the school building built during the previous administration is now vacant due to lack of school children in the island. The satellite school in Rakeedhoo had begun classes with three students in 2023. But Rasheed said that all three students have since moved to other islands with their families.
He also said that the island only recently got a doctor for its local health center, after over two months without one.
Rasheed said that in cases of medical emergencies, the people of Rakeedhoo is forced to rely on sea ambulances, which he said was unreliable.
Residents of V. Rakeedhoo meet with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on September 20, 2025. (Photo/President's Office)
Rasheed said that President Muizzu had promised to launch a dedicated sea ambulance service in Rakeedhoo soon.
Also on Saturday, President Muizzu that even if Rakeedhoo residents were to relocate, they would not need to shut down the guesthouses currently operating in the island.
Rakeedhoo has two guesthouses.