Hanimaadhoo council opens registration for Hirimaradhoo residents seeking relocation to Hoarafushi

The Hanimaadhoo Island Council has opened a registration process for residents of Haa Dhaalu Hirimaradhoo who wish to relocate to Haa Alif Hoarafushi instead of Hanimaadhoo.

The council announced on Wednesday that registration will remain open for 30 days.

The government decided on 1 February 2025 to relocate the Hirimaradhoo community to Hanimaadhoo. The decision followed earlier discussions on relocating residents to Kaafu Thulusdhoo or another island near Malé.

In March, the Hoarafushi Island Council passed a resolution inviting Hirimaradhoo residents to settle on Hoarafushi instead, following differing views among residents over the proposed relocation to Hanimaadhoo.

According to the Hanimaadhoo Council, residents wishing to register their preference to move to Hoarafushi may do so by visiting the council's district office operating in Hirimaradhoo. Applications can also be submitted by email or by contacting the council via its designated telephone number.

Hirimaradhoo residents voted for the Hanimaadhoo Island Council in the most recent local council elections following the government's decision to relocate the island's population.

As the relocation has not yet taken place, the Hanimaadhoo Council continues to provide services to Hirimaradhoo residents through a district office operating from the former Hirimaradhoo Council building.

According to the 2022 census, Hirimaradhoo has a resident population of 293 people, including 260 Maldivian citizens.

However, the island's official registry contains 584 registered residents.