China has extended USD 2.8 million in financial assistance to the Maldives to help restore government operations following the December 2024 fire that destroyed the offices of three ministries in Malé.
The fire, which broke out on 12 December last year, engulfed the building opposite Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu, leaving severe structural damage to the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure. The neighbouring Green Building, which previously housed the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency, was also rendered unusable. Since then, the affected agencies have been operating temporarily from the Dharubaaruge convention centre.
At a handover ceremony held in Malé, Chinese Ambassador Kong Xianhua presented the financial assistance to Minister of Finance and Planning Moosa Zameer. The funds will be used to procure office furniture and essential equipment needed for the ministries to resume full operations.
Minister Zameer noted that the support would significantly accelerate recovery efforts, adding that the contribution reflects the strength of the Maldives–China partnership. He pointed to recent high-level engagements, including President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s discussions with President Xi Jinping, as having further strengthened trust and expanded opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
