News
Official Launch of the First Phase of the MHEWS Pilot in Fuvahmulah City
21 August 2025
The Multi-hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) pilot program, under
Component 3.2, was officially launched today in Fuvahmulah City. The MHEWS system was officially
launched by the Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology, Dr
Mohamed Kinaanath, at a ceremony attended by over 70 senior officials from
national and local agencies. Distinguished speakers included:
•
Mr Ismail Rafeeq, Honourable Mayor of Fuvahmulah
City
•
Mr Hassaan Mohamed, Chief Executive of the
Environmental Regulatory Authority
•
Mr Erdem Atas, Country Economist and Resident
Coordinator for the Maldives at the World Bank
•
Prof. Terrence Fernando, Director of THINKlab and
Project Consultant
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Ismail Rafeeq, the Mayor of Fuvahmulah City, highlighted that the pilot project represents a significant milestone for the city, as Fuvahmulah has experienced frequent disasters caused by increasingly severe weather events. He added that the MHEWS will undoubtedly enhance the city council’s and authorities’ ability to mitigate, prepare for, and respond effectively to climate risks.
Mr. Erdem Atas,
Country Economist and Resident Coordinator for the Maldives at the World Bank
Group, emphasized that building climate resilience in the Maldives is crucial. He
highlighted that through innovation, digital connectivity, and community-driven
early warning systems, we can effectively safeguard the lives and livelihoods of
vulnerable island communities.
Mr. Hassaan Mohamed,
Chief Executive of the Environmental Regulatory Authority, highlighted that the
launch of the Early Warning System marks a significant step towards a proactive
approach to climate resilience in the Maldives. By enabling hazard forecasting
and early action, the system aims to protect lives, infrastructure, and
ecosystems, supporting the Maldives’ reputation as a safe and sustainable
destination. Developed through strong local and international collaboration,
this initiative lays the foundation for a resilient future across all islands.
After the launch of the platform, the chief guest of the ceremony, Dr.
Mohamed Kinaanath, the Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology,
spoke about how the pilot project aligns with the Maldives 2.0 vision of the
president, emphasising the importance of leveraging digital technologies to
strengthen climate resilience.
Professor Terrence Fernando from the University
of Salford delivered a comprehensive presentation on the MHEWS platform’s
functionalities, outlining the proposed Living Lab in Fuvahmulah City as a
means to establish a sustainable foundation for enhancing the impact of the
MHEWS platform for the benefit of citizens. He also emphasised the importance
of establishing a Natural Hazard Partnership to strengthen collaboration among
national agencies across the Maldives.
The MHEWS platform, developed by THINKLAB at
the University of Salford using their MOBILISE solutions, has been in
implementation since September 2024. The first phase of the project resulted in
the development of the initial version of the MHEWS, which was launched during
this event. This phase also included the creation of a roadmap for the
platform’s implementation. Additionally, efforts focused on establishing
sustainable models to strengthen local and national partnerships, as well as
developing a comprehensive education and outreach plan for beneficiaries and
stakeholders.
The final phase, Phase 2 of the pilot, focuses
on scaling up the work completed in Phase 1 through further development and
testing of the prototype in collaboration with stakeholders. The goal of this
phase is the full implementation of the MHEWS within Fuvahmulah City, obtaining
stakeholder acceptance, and providing capacity building to ensure effective
utilisation of the platform.
