Baa Maalhos

In May 2023, jointly with NDMA MRC conducted an Island Disaster Management Plan (IDMP) and Hazard Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (HVCA) in Baa Maalhos. Located at the edge of Baa atoll, the people of Maalhos primarily earn a living from local tourism, fishing, and palm thatch weaving. Within the workshop, amongst other hazards, participants expressed particular concerns regarding the frequent flooding within the island and the consequential impact it has on local forests -often being submerged- that the population relies on for palm thatch weaving. Additionally, they crucially highlighted the relationship between the natural hazards within the island and climate change.  

The HVCA process led to the fruition of a community led Island Disaster Management Plan which strengthened preparedness and resilience through inclusive community governance in B. Maalhos. During the workshop, participants took lead in the curation of every step of the plan and, it was meticulously verified by a large percentage of the island population. The process allowed both the exchange of knowledge, including pivotal indigenous insights between the community and facilitators as well as a path to pave meaningful collaborations between local stakeholders. By encouraging autonomy and self-sustenance, through SPRING Project, MRC aims to empower communities to effectively reduce, mitigate and prepare for disasters at local levels in B. Maalhos

Based on the information and inputs collected from the community, MRC will be implementing Priority Implementation Projects (PIP's) under the project to equip and enchance the community preparedness to disasters and emergencies.