Dhuvaafaru
Dhuvaafaru (Dhivehi: ދުވާފަރު) is an inhabited island of Maldives located in the eastern edge of Raa Atoll. Resettlement of the island started on 14 December 2008 to inhabit the displaced residents of Kandholhudhoo (Raa Atoll) who were the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
Dhuvaafaru
ދުވާފަރު | |
|---|---|
Dhuvaafaru Location in Maldives | |
| Coordinates: 05°37′42″N 73°02′30″E | |
| Country | Maldives |
| Administrative atoll | Raa Atoll |
| Distance to Malé | 168.83 km (104.91 mi) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.5416 km2 (0.2091 sq mi) |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 1.529 km (0.950 mi) |
| • Width | 0.468 km (0.291 mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 4,478 |
| • Density | 8,300/km2 (21,000/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:00 (MST) |
The challenging task of resettling the tsunami victims and establishing a new island community on Dhuvaafaru was undertaken by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies under an agreement made with the Government of Maldives in May 2005. Though Dhuvaafaru was uninhabited until recent history, there is physical and literary proof of the island being inhabited over 200 years ago. The famous wartime hero Dhandahelu — depicted in story of Maldives independence war against Portuguese invasion in 17th Century — is named after this island and is referred to in the historical literature as Dhuvaafaru Dhandahelu (meaning Dhandahelu from Dhuvaafaru).