India: Maldives will continue to receive food supplies, despite lockdown

India, on Wednesday, provided assurance Maldives would continue to receive essential supplies of rice, wheat flour and sugar from the country despite the lockdowns and logistical difficulties in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indian High Commission in Maldives, in a statement this afternoon, said the Maldivian people did not need to resort to panic buying.

“20 days’ supply of sugar and rice has already been shipped and will arrive in Male’ soon,” and the High Commission in its statement. “Now, another 1,500 metric tonnes of rice and 500 metric tonnes of sugar are being loaded at Tuticorin Port.”

The High Commission provided assurance India would maintain a steady supply of staple food products to Maldives despite the lockdowns and logistical difficulties.

State Trading Organization (STO), the main importer and distributor of staple food products to Maldives, has repeatedly stated that there wasn’t a shortage of food products, and that there was enough food products in stock to last months.

India, which has limited its pharmaceutical exports, including paracetamol and various antibiotics, has provided assurance it will continue to supply the drugs to Maldives.

India has reported 519 infections and 10 deaths from COVID-19. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decreed a 21-day lockdown on the country, marking the beginning of the world’s biggest lockdown.