High Commissioner H.E. Mr. Hassan Sobir has given live interviews on TV and radio interviews to BBC News 24 and BBC World, BBC Radio, Sky News, ITV News and CNN to inform the international community on the latest update on Maldives and relief efforts. The High Commissioner appreciates the support and cooperation extended by the International Media.
Following the Tsunami disaster, H.E. Hassan Sobir met Mr. Mohan Kaul, Director-General of the Commonwealth Business Council at the High Commission of Maldives in London today.
During this meeting H.E. Sobir and Mr. Kaul discussed the extent of damage caused in the Maldives by the Tsunami waves. Views were exchanged on ways in which the Commonwealth Business Council could help those affected countries like Maldives in the efforts for rebuilding and reconstruction of the badly damaged infrastructures of the livelihood of the people of the Maldives.
Mr. Adam Hassan, Counsellor & Ms. Iruthisham Adam, Second Secretary of this High Commission also participated in this meeting.
Member of the House of Lords of the British Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Lord Naseby departs for the Maldives this evening.
The Rt. Hon. Lord Naseby is making this visit to the Maldives in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Maldives-British All Party Parliamentarians Group.
On behalf of all the members of Group, the Rt. Hon. Lord Naseby has expressed his condolences and deep sympathy to the bereaved families of those killed and suffering from the Tsunami disaster in the Maldives. The Rt. Hon. Lord Naseby intends to visit the island communities who were devastated and displaced by the Tsunami waves that hit the Maldives.
On this visit, the Rt. Hon. Lord Naseby will also be meeting the senior officials of the Government of Maldives to get an update on the developments in the Maldives.
A three member delegation from the Muslim Aid called on H.E. Hassan Sobir this morning and conveyed their condolences and deep sympathy to the victims of the Tsunami Disaster in the Maldives.
During this meeting, Mr. S.M.T. Wasti, Secretary of the Muslim Aid and his colleagues delivered a Cheque to the High Commission for the Maldives Tsunami Relief Fund.
Muslim Aid was very happy that the High Commission has been keeping them updated on the developments in the Maldives since the disaster. Muslim Aid has membership of 20 Islamic countries around the world.
Muslim Aid also conveyed to the High Commissioner that they hope to cooperate and assist the Maldivian Government in areas of long term projects for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the people of the Maldives who have been badly affected by the Tsunami waves.
Counsellor, Mr. Adam Hassan and Ms. Iruthisham Adam, Second Secretary of this High Commission also participated in the meeting.
4 January, 2005 The President departs for Indonesia to attend the Special ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting in the Aftermath of the Earthquake and Tsunami Please refer: The President departs for Indonesia to attend the Special ASEAN Leaders' Meeting in the Aftermath of the Earthquake and Tsunami
www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv
11 January, 2005
High Commissioner departs for Geneva to attend the UN Ministerial Meeting
His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sobir left London this morning to attend the UN Ministerial Meeting on the Humanitarian Assistance to Tsunami affected communities to be held in Geneva on 11 January 2005.
High Commissioner Sobir is attending this meeting as part of the three member delegation from the Maldives.
The meeting will be chaired by Mr. Jan Egeland, United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator and Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. This meeting is an opportunity for the Tsunami affected countries to provide brief update on contributions pledged and received, activities undertaken so far as well as an avenue to discuss remaining key challenges.
Given the paramount importance of rebuilding and rehabilitation of the thousands of people of the Maldives in the Tsunami disaster, the Maldives welcomes pledges from member states to support its long term plans.
12 January, 2005 The Chairperson of the Maldives-UK All-Party Parliamentary Group calls on the President Call on the President by the Chairperson of the House of Commons Maldives-British All-Party Parliamentary Group, Lord Michael Morris (Lord Naseby) 
Lord Michael Morris (Lord Naseby) inquiring from the President the progress of ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts in the Maldives, following the tsunami.
please refer:
The Chairperson of the Maldives-UK All-Party Parliamentary Group calls on the President
Source: www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv
12 January, 2005 The wife of the Chairperson of the Maldives-UK All-Party Parliamentary Group calls on the First Lady Please refer:
The wife of the Chairperson of the Maldives-UK All-Party Parliamentary Group calls on the First Lady
Source: www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv
12 January, 2005 High Commissioner arrived back in London High Commissioner arrived back in London
London, 12 January 2005. His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sobir has arrived back in London this evening after attending the UN Ministerial Meeting on the Humanitarian Assistance to Tsunami affected communities held in Geneva on 11 January 2005.
High Commissioner Sobir was attending the meeting as part of the three member delegation from the Maldives.
14 January, 2005 High Commissioner thanks all contributors of the High Commission of Maldives Tsunami Relief Fund
National flag at the High Commission still remain half mast to observe the suffering of the victims of the Tsunami disaster in Maldives
High Commissioner H.E. Mr. Hassan Sobir announced that as of today the High Commission of Maldives Tsunami Relief Fund has collected Forty Two Thousand One Hundred and Forty Three Sterling Pounds and Seventy One Pence (£42,143.71), which is about One Million Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred and Ninety Nine Maldivian Ruffiyaa and Ten laari (Mrf. 1,014,399.10).
On behalf of the people and the Government of Maldives, High Commissioner Sobir today expressed his sincere gratitude to all the British people, Charity Organisations, Religious Organisations and Maldivians living in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland for their generous cash donations to the victims of Tsunami disaster in the Maldives. High Commissioner Sobir noted that all contributions made will be of immense value to the thousands of people of the Maldives who are homeless and whose livelihood has been badly damaged.
The funds in the High Commission relief account will be transferred today to the Maldives so that the funds will contribute towards the Government's efforts in providing humanitarian relief assistance and rehabilitation of the victims of Tsunami disaster in Maldives.
High Commissioner also acknowledged with much gratitude, the people who have donated relief items, medical supplies and, the valuable services donated by individuals, charter flight operators to Maldives,charity organisations, transport agents and Maldivian students in the United Kingdom. The goodwill and cooperation extended by the International media and daily newspapers to the Maldives is deeply appreciated.
19 January, 2005 Meeting held at the House of Commons, UK: ?Tsunami Tragedy ? The Maldives Experience? 
Left to right: Hon. Austin Mitchell, MP, High Commissioner of Maldives, H.E. Hassan Sobir, Hon. Jim Fitzpatrick, MP & the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hilary Armstrong, MP
A meeting was held today at the House of Commons on "Tsunami Tragedy - The Maldives Experience" to brief the members of the UK Parliament on the latest information of the situation in the Maldives.
High Commissioner spoke about the damage in the aftermath of Tsunami waves and the need for aid and support in the Maldives. High Commissioner said he was very encouraged by the response and relief aid to Maldives by the British Government, the NGOs and the British public.
High Commissioner urged the British tourists to keep going. He stated that the money spent by them is needed for relief and reconstruction of the livelihood of the people.
Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hilary Armstrong, MP, who had been on a holiday in the Maldives at the time of the Tsunami expressed concern for the long term effects on the Tourism Industry of the Maldives. Hon. Jim Fitzpatrick, MP who was part of the Commonwealth Expert Team also spoke on his experience of Tsunami in the Maldives.
The meeting was chaired by Hon. Austin Mitchell, MP.
Counsellor, Mr. Adam Hassan and Second Secretary, Ms. Iruthisham Adam of the High Commission also attended the meeting.
19 January, 2005
Commonwealth Expert Team returns to Maldives to observe rescheduled Elections A Commonwealth Expert Team, sent by the Secretary-General, returned to Maldives on 18 January 2005 to observe the parliamentary elections to be held on 22 January 2005.
The elections were to have been held on 31 December 2004, but were postponed following the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December. The Commonwealth Expert Team, which was present on that occasion, departed Maldives on 30 December.
The experts will be briefed in the capital, Malé, and will then observe preparations for the elections, the polling, counting and results process, and the overall electoral environment.
The Team is chaired by Cassam Uteem, former President of Mauritius. Its other members are: Andy Becker, Electoral Commissioner, Australia; Mahi Choudhury, MP, Bangladesh; Dr Hywel Francis, MP, United Kingdom; and Pratibha Rao, Director (Co-ordination), Lok Satta (Foundation for Democratic Reforms), India. They will be assisted by a three-person staff support team led by Syed Sharfuddin, Special Adviser (Asia) in the Political Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The decision to send the Commonwealth Expert Team follows an invitation from the Government of Maldives. The Team's terms of reference are as follows:
"The Commonwealth Expert Team for the Maldives Parliamentary Elections shall observe the preparations for the elections; the polling, counting and results process; and the overall electoral environment. The Expert Team will report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General with recommendations, if appropriate, for Commonwealth technical assistance. The Secretary-General will in turn send the Team's report to the Government of Maldives, the Commissioner of Elections, other interested parties in the Maldives and Commonwealth Governments. It will then be made public."
Source:
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=142214
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Templates/System/LatestNews.asp?NodeID=142215
19 January, 2005 Commonwealth sending emergency doctors to Maldives
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today announced a new programme to bring medical doctors from around the Commonwealth to work in Maldives.
"Today I am launching an appeal to doctors to volunteer to help the people of Maldives, who are suffering the devastating consequences of the Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004. If you can help, please get in touch right away."
The Commonwealth Secretariat is looking for doctors with expertise in internal medicine; paediatrics; anaesthetics; general surgery; obstetrics and gynaecology; and orthopaedics as well as general medicine. They will each work in Maldives for between 3 and 12 months.
"Women and children have borne the brunt of the disaster," said Mr McKinnon. "My hope is that in a short time, we can deliver up to 50 experienced doctors to assist the Maldives Government in the delivery and coordination of medical assistance. I am told this will make a real difference to their health system. The doctors will mainly be working in the settlements for displaced people and overstretched health centres."
The Secretariat has already deployed a Disaster Relief Coordinator, Colonel Linton Graham of Jamaica, who has been supporting the Maldives Government's assessment of the country's requirements and will make recommendations for the future. "He is now coming to the end of his two week mission to Maldives and will be sending me his report very soon," Mr McKinnon confirmed.
Source: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/
23 January, 2005 The President congratulates Mr. Ibrahim Ismail and Mr. Mohamed Shihab, following the announcement of the provisional results for the Male\' constituency in the People\'s Majlis elections
The President today congratulated Mr. Ibrahim Ismail and Mr. Mohamed Shihab, following the announcement that they had secured the most votes in the provisional results for the Male' constituency in yesterday's People's Majlis elections.
The President congratulated the two candidates in telephone conversations with them, immediately after the provisional results were announced by the Commissioner of Elections, Mr. Ibrahim Rashad.
Source:www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv
23 January, 2005 High Commissioner attends the Tsunami Relief Cardiff
On the invitation by Hon. Rhodri Morgan, First Minister for Wales, United Kingdom the High Commissioner Sobir and Spouse, Mrs. Aminath Sobir attended the Tsunami Concert held in Millennium Stadium, Cardiff yesterday.
The Tsunami Relief Cardiff staged this “Live Aid” style concert in aid of the DEC’s Tsunami Appeal Fund. The unique fundraising event aims to raise £1 million for the stricken families in South-East Asia.
The Tsunami Concert held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff is said to be one of the biggest charity concert since live Aid 20 years ago.
For more information about the event please visit following site http://www.millenniumstadium.com/3923_3925.php.
24 January, 2005 Maldives rejects allegation that 20 opposition supporters were arrested during yesterday’s elections
The Government of Maldives has rejected claims that 20 persons were arrested yesterday, in connection with an attempt to disrupt voting at a polling booth in Male'.
A statement by the Maldives Police Service said that five persons were arrested, of whom four had been released this morning. The Police also said that SMS messages had been sent from abroad, asking people to gather around the particular polling station at that time.
A group of notorious local thugs had entered the voting area while there were still a few people queuing up to cast their vote. The person still remaining in custody was armed with a knuckleduster and carried a knife in his motorcycle.
Commenting on the incident, the Chief Government Spokesman, Ahmed Shaheed said, “The attempt was an act of desperation to smear the election process so that dissidents can find an excuse to disrupt the President's democratic reform agenda, which will be accelerated after the successful parliamentary elections.”
“The results for the Male' constituency show clearly that the elections were free and fair, and that the allegations that the elections were a ‘sham' are nothing more that the usual cry of ‘wolf' by dissidents,” Shaheed added.
Source: www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv
24 January, 2005 High Commissioner calls on the Government Chief Whip
High Commissioner of Maldives, H.E. Hassan Sobir with the UK Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hilary Armstrong, MP
London, 1430 hrs High Commissioner His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sobir today called on the Government Chief Whip, the Rt. Hon. Hilary Armstrong.
High Commissioner Sobir briefed the Rt. Hon. Hilary Armstrong on the current situation of the Maldives since the Tsunami. At this meeting High Commissioner thanked Rt. Hon. Hilary Armstrong for her Government's valuable assistance and much needed relief aid extended to the Maldives following the Tsunami destruction in Maldives.
While discussing the long term recovery plans of the Maldives, the High Commissioner Sobir said that Maldives needs the international aid for rebuilding and reconstruction of the damaged shelter and livelihood of the thousands of people who are homeless.
Rt. Hon. Hilary Armstrong, MP who had been on a holiday in the Maldives at the time of the Tsunami conveyed her understanding of the destruction in the Maldives and the need for the sustainable long term redevelopment plans.
Speaking on the outcome of the Parliamentary elections of the Maldives, High Commissioner Sobir said the elections held on 22 January 2005 were a success.
Counsellor, Mr. Adam Hassan and Second Secretary, Ms. Iruthisham Adam of the High Commission also attended the meeting.
25 January, 2005 UK Pharmaceutical Industry donates medical supplies to Maldives
L-R: Anthony Dunnett, IHP; High Commissioner of Maldives, H.E. Hassan Sobir; Sunil Munasingha, 2nd Secretary Sri Lanka ; High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, H.E. Faisz Musthapha
London On Friday, 21 January 2005, the High Commissioner of Maldives, His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sobir was at the location (Speed International Logistics Services Ltd, Slough) where the medical supplies donated by the International Health Partners were air lifted to the Maldives & Sri Lanka.
£1.5 million of essential medicines, requested medicines donated by the UK Industry were shipped off to Maldives and Sri Lanka by the IHP. The medicines were donated by eight companies from all across the UK and Ireland. The shipment was pulled together by International Health Partners on behalf of Government, the industry and the local emergency teams of the WHO and Ministries of Health in Male' and Colombo.
High Commissioner Sobir thanked the DfID, the UK medical industry, IHP and all parties involved in providing the emergency medical supplies to the Maldives.
26 January, 2005
Maldives Welcomes UK Government Commitment to Assist the Country
The Government of Maldives today welcomed the British Government's commitment to assisting the people of the Maldives in their efforts to recover from the devastation of the Indian Ocean tsunami.
Responding to an exchange in the House of Commons between David Amess MP and Douglas Alexander, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Chief Government Spokesman Ahmed Shaheed said:
“We greatly appreciate the British parliament's interest in the Maldives , and in particular Mr Alexander's reaffirmation of the UK 's commitment to assisting the people of the Maldives as they work to overcome the destructive effects of the tsunami, which struck one month ago today.
Our High Commissioner in London will seek to call on both Mr. Amess and Mr. Alexander in the coming few days to brief them both on our development needs, and on the historic elections held on 22 January. This is an exciting time for the Maldives ; we await with expectation the reports of the Commonwealth and SAARC Observer Missions, and look forward to the new Majlis continuing with the process of constitutional reform set in train by President Gayoom.”
Source: www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv
27 January, 2005 URGENT NEED FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION IN MALDIVES
Colonel Linton Graham of Jamaica, who was sent by the Commonwealth Secretary-General to assess disaster relief needs in Maldives, has said that there is an urgent need for assistance in reconstruction and rehabilitation following the tsunami disaster which struck the island state on 26 December 2004.
“We need health personnel and experts in the construction industry to help rebuild Maldives,” stated Colonel Graham. “The country needs civil and structural engineers, geologists and others to look at what can be done. The fisheries and tourism industries have been severely affected. Maldives is heavily reliant on these two industries for its economy.”
Colonel Graham, who was in Maldives for a two-week mission from 6 to 20 January 2005, explained: “The situation in Maldives was very devastating and it was not as localised as on islands in other countries affected by the tsunami, where work and life can still carry on in unaffected places. In Maldives, it was nationwide. There are 20 atolls and 200 islands all damaged.
“The islands in the centre of the archipelago bore the brunt of the tsunami. People were evacuated to other less affected islands. Fourteen islands are now uninhabited following the tsunami.”
Colonel Graham, who has experience in disaster relief in Jamaica, said the infrastructure of Maldives was severely damaged. Water supply was seriously affected, while telephone and power lines were destroyed.
Source: Commonwealth Secretariat (CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 219 26 January 2005)
27 January, 2005
The South Asian Elections Observers call on the President
The members of the South Asian Observer Group of Eminent Persons who monitored Saturday’s elections for seats in the People’s Majlis, called on the President today. The Group was led by the former Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Singapore, Mr. M. A. Malik.
The South Asian observers informed the President that the elections were conducted peacefully and smoothly, and that all arrangements to hold the elections had been meticulous. They also noted the tremendous socioeconomic progress achieved by the Maldives.
The President thanked the members of the South Asian Observer Group of Eminent Persons for accepting the Government’s invitation to monitor the elections, and for their dedicated efforts during their stay in the country. He added that the Government had taken all necessary steps to ensure that these elections went ahead in a free, fair and peaceful manner, as with all previous elections.
Source:
27 January, 2005 Tsunami Tragedy – Service for the Westminster Community
High Commissioner H.E. Mr. Hassan Sobir participated in the special prayer service held at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in London, UK, on 26 January 2005 at 5 pm. The special prayer was organised by the St. Martin-in-the-Fields in collaboration with the Westminster’s Lord Mayor’s office in honour of the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami, where more than 280,000 people are confirmed dead or missing.
The hour long service was attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Catherine Longworth, the Commonwealth Secretary General, H.E. Mr. Don McKinnon, Dean & members of the diplomatic community and the British public.
Religious leaders of Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Hindu faiths took part in the special prayer held yesterday expressing their sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the Tsunami disaster.
The Lord Mayor said: “It is hard to know how to respond to a scale of disaster of such magnitude. Our gathering here is to reflect deeply on the tragedy that has touched us all and to affirm our feeling of sympathy and commitment to support those lives that have been affected.”
27 January, 2005 The Head of the Commonwealth Expert Team calls on the President
The Head of the Commonwealth Expert Team to Observe the Parliamentary Elections in the Maldives, the former President of Mauritius, Mr. Cassam Uteem, called the President this afternoon.
Mr. Cassam Uteem thanked the President for the excellent arrangements that had been made for the Expert Team to observe Saturday’s elections. He told the President that the Report of the Expert Team would be presented to the Commonwealth Secretary General, Mr. Don McKinnon in the coming days, and that he would then forward it to the President. He praised the President for his outstanding efforts towards the development of the Maldives over the past quarter century.
The President thanked Mr. Uteem for his sentiments, and said that the Government was determined to ensure that the People’s Majlis elections took place in a free, fair and transparent manner, and that the request to the Commonwealth Secretary to send an Expert Team was evidence of this commitment.
Source: www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv
27 January, 2005 The Rt. Hon the Lord Naseby returns from Maldives
Member of the House of Lords of the British Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Lord Naseby who was in the Maldives from 9-16 January 2005 has just returned back to London after his visit.
In his capacity as the Chairman of the Maldives-British All Party Parliamentary Group, Rt. Hon. Lord Naseby visited some tourist resorts, decimated islands, island communities that were badly affected by the Tsunami disaster to assess the damages and what the United Kingdom could do to help.
The Rt. Hon. Lord Naseby called on His Excellency President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Fathulla Jameel, the Commissioner of Elections, Mr. Ibrahim Rashad, Speaker of the Majlis, Hon. Ahmed Zahir and Chief Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Centre & Minister of Defence and National Security, Hon. Ismail Shafeeu on the current situation of the Maldives.
On his return, The Rt. Hon Lord Naseby while addressing the House of Lords on 24 January 2005 acknowledged the need for water purification and formal aid programme from UK to the Maldives. In his statement Lord Naseby said (UK ) “ our country does not have a formal aid programme to the Maldives. Is the Minister prepared to review the situation so that there is a formal aid programme?”
Please refer to link:
Rt. Hon. the Lord Naseby
28 January, 2005
Report of the Observer Group of Eminent Persons from South Asia (OGEP) Please see the following link for the text of the report.
Report of the Observer Group of Eminent Persons from South Asia (OGEP)
31 January, 2005 The President last night telephoned the UN Acting Resident Coordinator in the Maldives, Mr. Moez Doraid, and thanked him for his efforts in attracting media attention towards the urgent need for foreign assistance in implementing the ongoing reconstruction programme in the country.
The President also thanked Mr. Doraid for the assistance extended by the UN in the aftermath of the worst natural disaster in the country’s history, and for drawing up a programme on attracting foreign aid towards relief and reconstruction efforts.
Mr. Moez Doraid said that the President’s call was a source of great encouragement for him.
The UN Acting Resident Coordinator noted that the number of people who had lost their lives in the Maldives was high in proportionate terms to the population, and that, even in absolute terms, the number of affected persons was as high as 100,000 or a third of the entire population. He said that he believed that the international media must therefore not ignore this important fact, as it was crucial to attract much-needed foreign assistance at the moment.
Source: www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv
29 January, 2005
High Commissioner attends Tsunami fundraising Fair High Commissioner attends Tsunami fundraising Fair
LONDON, 28 January 2005 High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sobir today attended the fundraising fair held at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The event was organised by the students of Tsunami affected countries, staff and management of the School.
Members of the Maldivian Student Association - UK were also present at the event. All money raised from this fair will be directed to the Disaster Emergency Committee.
H.E. Mr. Hassan Sobir met with Hon. Jim Fitzpatrick at the House of Commons today to exchange views on the Tsunami Disaster and the well being of the people of Maldives.