Over MVR 17 million has been disbursed in financial assistance to impoverished single parents raising children in the Maldives, according to statistics released by the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).

Statistics for the past month published by NSPA yesterday show that financial aid was provided to 3,313 single parents, covering 5,687 eligible children.

Last month, 112 parents registered anew to seek assistance, accounting for 207 newly registered children. NSPA disbursed a total of MVR 17,061,000 to beneficiaries under this scheme last month.

Under NSPA's financial assistance scheme to help low-income households purchase food, support was extended to 659 impoverished individuals. The statistics show that MVR 26,360 was spent on this aid.

Additionally, financial assistance was provided to 98 guardians caring for 132 children who lack parental support due to poverty, with MVR 181,000 spent on these beneficiaries last month.

Following amendments brought in 2025 to the regulation on financial assistance for single parents, an allowance of MVR 3,000 per child is provided for up to four children.

As a result, households with four children can receive up to MVR 12,000 per month. Under the revised regulation, eligible single parents can receive up to MVR 144,000 annually.