Stories from the Community: Impacts of the Climate Crisis in Gdh. Dhevvadhoo

Hassan, a resident of Ga. Dhevvadhoo, has lived in his childhood home for 23 years. Back then, there was a big beach separating his house and the sea, but now, it is only 10 feet away. And Hassan isn’t alone.

The reality of climate change is something the locals of Ga. Dhevvadhoo have to face everyday as beach erosion becomes a bigger threat to their homes and livelihood.

The Strengthening Preparedness and Resilience through Inclusive Community Governance (SPRING) Project aims to create climate ready communities across the Maldives by empowering people like Hassan to take lead in understanding the unique vulnerabilities they face and the ways in which they could mitigate, prepare for, and respond to such vulnerabilities.

Through this project, in partnership with NDMA, ADPC and USAID, we have conducted an island disaster management planning workshop, first aid training, and a psychological first aid training to better help the community in Dhevvadhoo prepare for emergency situations.