A group of residents from Hanimaadhoo have protested against the government’s decision to relocate residents of Hirimaradhoo to their island.

The protest took place yesterday evening, with demonstrators holding signs calling on authorities to prioritize housing for Hanimaadhoo residents. Photos shared on social media showed protesters urging the government to address the island’s housing shortage before relocating people from other islands.

President of the Hanimaadhoo Island Council, Abdul Sattar, said housing remains one of the island’s biggest challenges. He noted that more than 1,000 residents over the age of 18 are currently in need of housing.

Sattar suggested that building apartment flats would be a better solution than allocating land plots. According to him, constructing around 2,000 flats could help solve the housing shortage for both Hanimaadhoo residents and people relocated from other islands.

He also highlighted difficulties residents face in building homes due to the high cost of living and construction. Hanimaadhoo last allocated land in 2022, when 200 plots were released despite more than 500 applications.

The government first announced plans in August 2025 to relocate residents of Hirimaradhoo to Hanimaadhoo. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu also visited Hirimaradhoo and met with residents during a trip to the atoll.