In a commendable effort to alleviate the acute water shortage in the Maldives, the Chinese government has generously donated 1,500 tonnes of drinking water sourced from the glaciers in Tibet.
This significant contribution is part of China’s ongoing support to the Maldives, especially since President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took office in November 2023.
The decision to provide the Maldives with drinking water was reached during the official visit of China’s Tibet Autonomous Region’s Chairman, Yan Jinhai, to the Maldives. During this visit, he met with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and discussed ways to address the pressing water scarcity issue.
The 1,500 tonnes of drinking water have now been successfully transported to the archipelago nation, as reported by Edition.mv, a local news portal.
Interestingly, this water donation is produced from frozen water procured from glacial regions in Tibet, known for their cleanliness, clarity, and mineral content. Tibet Autonomous Region is also renowned for producing high-quality premium brands of water.
This gesture underscores China’s commitment to assisting the Maldives on multiple fronts, including water scarcity and other critical needs.
It’s worth noting that the Maldives faces unique challenges due to its geographical composition—26 atolls and 1,192 islands primarily composed of coral reefs and sandbars. These factors make groundwater and freshwater extremely scarce, exacerbated by the effects of climate change.
In the past, India also stepped in during a water crisis with its “Operation Neer” after a massive fire incident in the Male Water and Sewerage Company complex in December 2014.
China’s timely water donation serves as a lifeline for the Maldives, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in addressing urgent humanitarian and environmental issues.
