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MALDIVES AT A GLANCE |
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| General Information |
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| Official Name: Republic of Maldives |
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| Location: Group of atolls in the Indian
Ocean, south-southwest of India. Flat terrain with white sandy
beaches. About 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200
inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts). |
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| Government: Republic |
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| Ethnic groups: Originated from South Indians,
Sinhalese, Arabs |
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| Religions: Sunni Muslim |
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| Administrative divisions: 19 atolls (Atholhu,
singular and plural) and 1 other first-order administrative
division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu,
Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*,
Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu |
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| Language: Maldivian Dhivehi
(dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken
by most government officials |
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| EXECUTIVE |
| Head of
State |
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
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| Head of Government |
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. The President
is both the head of State and Government |
| Cabinet |
Appointed by the president. President
is nominated by the Majlis (People's Council). The nomination
must be ratified by a national referendum (at least
a 51% approval margin is required). President elected
for a five-year term.
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| Elections |
President elected by National Parliament
for a five-year term; following legislative elections,
the leader of the party that wins majority seats is usually
appointed Prime Minister by the President; President Gayoom
was re-elected for a record sixth five-year term in 2003,
having first become president in 1978 |
| LEGISLATURE |
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Unicameral People's Council or Majlis
(50 seats; 42 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by
the president; members serve five-year terms)
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| JUDICIARY |
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Legal systems is based on Islamic
law with admixtures of English common law primarily
in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction. High Court is the apex court. Constitution
was adopted in January 1998
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| SPECIAL FACTORS |
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Tourism, which accounts for 20% of the
GDP and more than 60% of Maldives' foreign exchange receipts,
is the main industry. Over 90% of government tax revenue
comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes.
Losses due to tsunami od december 2004 amounted to 62% GDP.
About 80% of the area is one meter or less than the sea level.
One of the countries most vulnerable to the global warming, Maldives was the first country to sign the Kyoto Protocol.
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| Indicators |
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| Indicators |
Estimate |
Year |
Source |
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| Population
( millions) |
| Population growth (1991-2001) |
| Annual Population Growth
(percent) |
| Population Density (per
sq.km) |
| Sex Ratio (females per
1,000 males) |
| Crude Birth Rate (per
1000 population) |
| Crude Death Rate |
| Total Fertility Rate |
| Infant Mortality (per
1000) |
| Maternal Mortality Rate |
| Human Development Index
Ranking |
| Literacy (Total) |
| -
Males |
| -
Females |
| Increase in literacy |
| People below poverty line
(%) |
| Urban Population (%) |
| Growth of Urban population
(annual) |
| Life expectancy |
| Per capita GDP (PPP US $) |
| Population with access
to proper sanitation (%) |
| Population with access
to improved water sources (%) |
| Health Expenditure-Public
(% of GDP) |
| Health Expenditure - Private
(% of GDP) |
| Physicians per 100,000
population |
| Population with Access
to Essential Drugs (%) |
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| 0.3 | 2001 | UNFPA | | -- | -- | -- | | 2.9 | 1975-2003 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | -- | -- | -- | | -- | -- | -- | | 20 | 2000 | Maldives,Ministry of Planning & NDS | | 4 | 2000 | Maldives,Ministry of Planning & NDS | | 2.8 | 1995 - 2005 | Maldives,Ministry of Planning & NDS | | 14* | 2003 | Maldives Government | | 1 | 2003 | MDG Report, 2005 | | 96 | 2003 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 97.2 | 2003 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 97.3 | 2003 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 97.2 | 2003 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | -- | -- | -- | | -- | -- | -- | | 28.8 | 2003 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 3.5 | 2000 - 2005 | UNFPA | | 66.6 | 2003 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 0.65 | 2003 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 85 | 2001 | WHO | | 76.5 | 2001 | WHO | | 5.1 | 2002 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 0.7 | 2002 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 78 | 1990-2004 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 50 - 79 | 1999 | UNDP HDR 2003 |
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| *UNICEF gives the figure of IMR as 35 per 1000 live births for the year 2004 and life expectancy as 67. |
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| Socio-Economic
Background |
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Maldives is made up of 1,190 islands in 20 atolls spread over 900 kms in the Indian Ocean. Of these 198 islands are inhabited and 70% of these have a population of 1,000.
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| Before the tragic tsunami swept across the island chain in December 2004 Maldives, with per capita Gross National Income (GNI) of $2,170 in 2002, had the highest GNI in the South Asia region and only 1% population living on less than a dollar a day. Net enrolment ratio in primary schools was near 100%. Literacy rates were above 98%. Maldivian girls outnumbered boys in lower secondary education. Infant and child mortality rates were on a decline. Safe water was available to everyone. With everything apparently going right, Maldives aspired to become a “top ranking middle-income” country, as spelt out in the government’s vision 20/20 document. |
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| On 26 December 2004, one out of every three residents was affected by the tsunami. All but nine inhabited islands were wholly or partially flooded. Although loss of life was less compared with some other countries that were hit by the tsunami, the relative impacts on the population and the economy was considerable. More than 29,000 residents were displaced and 12,000 were made homeless. Of the islands that were flooded 13 have had to be completely abandoned. |
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| School and hospital buildings were destroyed, livelihoods lost. Flooding wiped out power plants on many islands and contaminated water supplies. Essential infrastructure, such as jetties and harbours that act as the crucial link to the outside world, experienced major damage. The tsunami also destroyed causeways, agricultural equipment, and fishing vessels . The damage amounted to 62% of the GDP. |
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| The tsunami exposed some of the inherent vulnerabilities of the Maldives island chain. Its economic vulnerability stemmed from the high dependence on tourism and fishing – industries that are subject to external shocks. The country’s social vulnerability stemmed from its small population and the way it was so widely dispersed and environmental vulnerability due to the fragile ecosystem and geography of the Maldives and to the potential effects of global warming. |
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| A year after tsunami, although a large majority of tourist resorts – the tourism sector being the lifeline of the economy – were already open for business, bigger challenges still lay ahead. Despite donor contributions, a ccording to the government, key sectors like shelter, power and energy, disaster management and infrastructure remained ‘critically’ under-funded. Budget deficit for 2005 amounted to US dollars 94 million. The “One Year After the Tsunami” report speaks of mounting tensions between the internally displaced people and host communities. Besides, human resource and capacity constraints were slowing the pace of implementation of recovery plans . |
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| To meet budget deficit, Maldives government has been advised by international finance agencies to contain spending not related to tsunami recovery which means it would have to defer its implemention of pension reforms, maintain the fuel surcharge on electricity and water and continue to defer any capital expenditure plans that are not critical for infrastructure and social needs . I t remains to be seen to what extent the Government and its partners are able to cushion the general population from the impact of these economic shocks. |
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| Some of the challenges listed by the government for 2006 and onwards are: |
- Provision of safe, durable housing, with access to safe water and sanitation
- Expansion of viable, diversified economic activity with an emphasis on job creation for young people
- Shifting focus from replacing lost assets to programmes that help all contributors to the economy and vulnerable groups, specially women and children
- Strenghthening policies regarding gender, particularly vulnerability of women and children to increased risk of violence and sexual abuse
- Greater transparency and accountability in the political and judicial reform programme.
- Holistic approach to water conservation and sanitation, waste disposal and renewable energy.
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| Estimates |
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| Figures |
| Value | Year | Source | | -- | -- | -- | | -- | -- | -- | | -- | -- | -- | | -- | -- | -- | | -- | -- | -- | | -- | -- | -- |
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| Estimated Number
of HIV cases (Adults and children) |
| Adults (15-49 years) |
| Women (15-49) |
| Children |
| Esimated number
of deaths due to AIDS |
| Estimated Number
of AIDS orphans |
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| HIV Situation |
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| The first Maldivian with HIV was identified in late 1991. As of December 31 2003, the reported number of people with HIV was 135, of which 123 were foreigners. Of the twelve Maldivians, all fall in the 15-49 age-group, the youngest being 23 and the oldest 42 years of age. Six have died of AIDS related diseases. Two appear to have contracted the infection while working at tourists resorts. |
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| Although the number of reported people living with HIV/ AIDS in the Maldives is very small, a number of factors make the country vulnerable to the spread of HIV. |
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The factors under consideration include:
- The high mobility rate, including migrant workers, students, small businessmen, seamen, and tourists; More information is needed on the risk behaviour that these citizens may engage in while they are away from the support of their families.
- High rates of divorce and remarriage in the Maldives create exposure to large sexual networks capable of transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Since HIV symptoms often do not appear for many years, people who are unaware that they are infected may infect many of their serial spouses and casual sex partners.
- The high percentage of population under 15 years of age (approx. 50%). An estimated 26,000 young people will enter the labour force in the next five years, with anticipated high rates of unemployment;
- The rise in drug use amongst young people;
- The high number of people from the Maldives who seek medical services in neighbouring countries, with some attendant risk of infection from blood transfusions
- Maldivians are dispersed over as many as 190 islands. This dispersed population creates barriers to educating people on HIV/AIDS, distributing condoms, and treating people for STDs that increase transmission of HIV. A UN study in 2000 revealed that in the smaller islands 55 percent of the population has no radio, and 86 percent have no television in the home. Many small islands have no bookstore, and access to newspapers is irregular .
- In 1998, almost 400,000 tourists visited the Maldives, one and a half times the entire population of the Maldives. Although sex tourism is not present in the Maldives, the great influx of people from all over the world represents a potential route of introduction of HIV and high-risk behaviour such as injecting drug use and unsafe sex.
The 2004 tsunami has thrown up some new challenges for the country. There is an urgent need for rehabilitation of the vast majority of the population which has been displaced and recovery of the assests lost. In the face of the present challenges, prevention of HIV/AIDS may take a backseat. However, it may be important to note that the population now is even more vulnerable than before to the epidemic. |
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| The National
Response |
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| A comprehensive AIDS Control Programme was launched in 1987, before HIV was first reported. The main policy making body for the programme is the National AIDS Council, a multi-sectoral body with membership from the highest level in the Government sector and from NGOs appointed by the President's Office. The focus of the programme has been the creation of awareness amongst the general public, and ethical issues such as the confidentiality of HIV positive persons and promoting non-discrimination. The programme activities have included: |
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Public education via the mass media;
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Peer education;
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Awareness creation workshops;
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Screening of blood products;
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Provision of treatment, care and counseling
to People living with HIV/AIDS and people at risk
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| Multilateral assistance has been mainly provided through WHO and UNFPA. Under a UNDP managed grant from the Italian Government a drug use prevention and control programme is under preparation, with an awareness creation and advocacy component on HIV/AIDS prevention. |
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| There are very few NGOs in the Maldives. FASHAN has been active in the area of the HIV/AIDS prevention, through the Government's initiatives in drug use programmes. SHE has also been indirectly involved in HIV/AIDS prevention through their publications, weekly radio programmes, and discussion forums. KIDS have carried out ten seminars in AIDS awareness in the islands of Gaaf Alif Atoll. |
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| UN Support |
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| The UNDP country office participates in the UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS, as well as the UN Technical Working Group on HIV/AIDS. Through these groups UNDP is supporting the government in HIV/AIDS initiatives such as World AIDS Day observance, training and advocacy. An HIV Situation Analysis, an initiative of the UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS, was carried out in June 2000. The priority concern identified is the risk from drug abuse. The importance of mobility has also been stressed in the Situation Analysis, and is an illustration of the social dimensions of the epidemic. |
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| Web Resources |
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| Government Website |
| http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/pages/index.php |
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| Department of Public Health |
| http://www.dph.gov.mv/ |
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| UN Agencies |
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| UNDP |
| UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. |
| www.mv.undp.org/ |
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| World Health Organisation |
| The World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health. WHO's objective, as set out in its Constitution, is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. |
| www.who.int/countries/mdv/en/ |
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| World Bank |
| The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. We are made up of two unique development institutions owned by 184 member countries—the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). |
| www.worldbank.org/mv |
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| AUSAID |
| Australia, through AusAID, works with other governments, the United Nations, Australian companies and non-government organisations to design and set up projects which tackle the causes and consequences of poverty in developing counties. |
| http://www.ausaid.gov.au/country/country.cfm?CountryID=14&Region=SouthAsia&CFID=4666538&CFTOKEN=32119990 |
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| MDG Report |
| http://www.undg.org/documents/6679-Maldives_MDG_Report.pdf |
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| UN Offices |
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UNDP ( United Nations Development
Programme ) |
UNICEF ( United Nations Children
Fund ) |
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UNDP Maldives
UN Building
Buruzu Magu
Radhdebai Higun, Male
Republic of Maldives
Mail Address: UNDP Maldives
P.O.Box 2058
Male
Republic of Maldives
Phone: (960) 325063, (960) 324501
Fax: (960) 324504
E-mail : fo.mdv@undp.org,
registry.mv@undp.org
URL: www.undp.org/rbap |
Mail Address:
UNICEF
UN Building
Republic of Maldives
Phone: 960-32.2017, 31.4902, 31.4903
Fax: 960-32.6469
E-mail: Unicefml@dhivehinet.net.mv |
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| UNFPA ( United Nations Population Fund )
Fund ) |
WHO ( World Health Organization ) |
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P.O. Box 2058
Male
Covered by UNFPA Field Office, Sri Lanka |
P.O. Box No.2004
Male 20-04
Republic of Maldives
Phone: 00-960- 327519,322410,313564
Fax: 00-960- 324210
E-mail: whomav@who.org.mv |
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| WORLD BANK |
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Ms. Kruti Kapadia
Phone: (202) 458-5157
Fax: (202) 522-0321
E-mail: kkapadia@worldbank.org |
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| Sources: UNDP, UNFPA, World Fact Book and UNGASS documents, World Bank, Millennium Development Goals Report, 2005 |
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| * YouandAIDS is not liable
for any dispute, other countries in the region or elsewhere
in the world, organizations or individual might raise. |
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