United States Tsunami Reconstruction Aid: U.S. Embassy and Maldives Ministry of Construction and Public Infrastructure Start Work on New Harbor on Dhuvaafaru Island

Maldives Deputy Minister of Construction and Public Infrastructure Mohamed Ibrahim, U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake and Acting Atoll Chief Mohamed Fulu at the opening ceremony for the construction of a new harbor on Dhuvaafaru Island.

Dhuvaafaru, July 14, 2008: The United States Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, announced today the beginning of construction of a tsunami reconstruction project on the Maldives island of Raa Dhuvafaaru.  

The project will involve construction of a new breakwater, quay wall, and dredging of a harbor basin.  The project is valued at about USD $5.4 million, with the U.S. Government and the Maldives Government each contributing an equal amount. 

Dhuvaafaru, located in Raa Atoll, is being developed as a “safe island” that is planned to become home to 4,000 Maldivians, many of whom were displaced by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.  It is one of thirteen islands to benefit from USD $12 million donated by the United States Government to Maldives for tsunami relief and reconstruction.

U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake, Jr. joined Maldives Deputy Minister of Construction and Public Infrastructure Mohamed Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Ministry of External Resources Dr. Hussein Nyaz, and Acting Atoll Chief Mohamed Fulu for the opening ceremony on Dhuvaafaru commemorating the collaboration between the two governments in building the new harbor.

Ambassador Blake told the residents of Dhuvaafaru and other gathered guests, "For you, the future residents of Dhuvaafaru, the harbor is the door to the outside world.  You will begin and end your journeys from here, bring in your fish catch, anchor your boats, and greet visiting friends and dignitaries.  So I know you are as eager as I am to see the harbor built and ready to use as soon as possible."  He noted his pride in representing the United States in making this contribution and in working closely with the Government of the Republic of Maldives on this and other tsunami reconstruction projects.

The U.S. Embassy in Colombo also represents the United States of America to the Government and people of the Republic of Maldives.