The government will begin distributing canned tuna cases as a Ramadan gift from next Saturday, Minister for Cities, Local Government, and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar has announced.
The initiative aims to support households during the holy month, with a total of 118,673 households—56,918 in the atolls and 61,755 in the Greater Male’ area—set to receive the aid.
Eligible households can register for tokens via an online portal starting at 12:00 pm on 22 January, eliminating the need for physical queues. Distribution will be managed by the State Trading Organization (STO) in collaboration with local island councils, with each household receiving one case per electricity metre in the Male’area, while island households will be identified through pre-registered lists.
In the Greater Male’ region, 15 distribution points—eight in Male’, six in Hulhumale’, and one in Vilimale’—will operate from 8:30 pm to 11:00 pm (except Sundays) until 11 February.
Each case contains 48 cans of tuna, continuing a tradition from last year. Minister Adam Shareef emphasised streamlined arrangements to ensure convenience, reaffirming that all households will receive the Ramadan gift.