MALDIVES (12 October)
Maldives was the smallest country hit by the tsunami on 26 December 2004, but it suffered the sharpest blow in relative terms. After more than nine months, the country is facing severe budget and economic problems, as a result of both tsunami and rising oil prices.
The tourism industry accounts for a large percentage of the country’s GDP. Despite a number of resorts damaged by the tsunami having been repaired, tourism numbers in the nine months have reportedly dropped by about 30 percent from the same period of the previous year.
Fisheries and agriculture were also damaged by the tsunami. FAO has been providing assistance in the building of boats and fishing gear. FAO has also been providing farmers with the required agricultural inputs and tools (fertilizer, vegetable seeds, cuttings and seedlings, and hand tools).
WFP provided rice, sugar, vegetable oil and pulses to some 41 000 food insecure, tsunami affected, people from February to May. In June, due to economic recovery, regaining of livelihoods and financial schemes being in place, WFP and the Government of Maldives reduced the numbers of beneficiaries to some 13 000. Among these are the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and their host families who are still considered to be food insecure. The selected beneficiaries will receive rice, wheat flour, vegetable oil, pulses and sugar till the end of 2005. In addition, WFP provided a “one off” food ration for the month of Ramadan for some 63 000 tsunami affected people.