On 20th February 2025, Dusit Thani Resorts in the Maldives, in partnership with the esteemed Maldivian NGO MOMS Aid, held a significant event at Salt Cafe and Restaurant. The event marked Dusit’s contribution to the Ramadan Aid 2025 initiative, where they provided essential items for the “Care Baskets” which will be filled with food staples and given to families facing financial hardship across the country during the holy month of Ramadan. The event saw participation from the teams at Dusit Thani Maldives and the soon-to-be-opened DusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, as well as members of the MOMS Aid executive committee, the Chefs Guild of Maldives, and Hope for Women.

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Inauguration and Speeches from Dusit Leadership

Jean Louis, the Area General Manager of Dusit properties in Maldives, and Mauroof Mohamed, the Cluster Director of Human Resources for both Dusit Thani Maldives and DusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, inaugurated the event. Both spoke about the importance of supporting the community, particularly women, and their efforts to empower the Maldives’ vulnerable families.

Jean Louis, the Area General Manager, expressed pride in the company’s commitment to supporting the women of the Maldives. He emphasized the importance of mothers, the foundation of any family, stating, “We are truly proud to contribute to this donation because, for us, it is very important to support the ‘mom’—the foundation of any family.” Jean Louis also highlighted Dusit’s values of operating as a family and stressed the importance of respecting women and providing equal opportunities for them, both today and in the future.

Moreover, Mauroof Mohamed, the Cluster Director of Human Resources for Dusit Thani Maldives and DusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, shared the inspiration behind the Ramadan Aid initiative. As Ramadan approached, the team at Dusit wanted to support mothers by providing gifts, and the idea quickly evolved into something broader. They invited contributions from their team members, who responded with generosity, especially from both resorts. “Both resorts have generously supported this effort. With their contributions, we’ve been able to assist 178 families through this initiative.” Mauroof also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with MOMS Aid, a partnership that enabled them to make a meaningful impact on those in need during Ramadan.

MOMS Aid: Empowering Communities During Ramadan

MOMS Aid is one of the Maldives’ most prominent NGOs, dedicated to empowering women and tackling hunger and poverty across the nation. Their mission includes providing both immediate and long-term assistance to vulnerable families, offering care packages, and creating livelihood opportunities. In addition to supporting families, MOMS Aid works to educate the community on violence against women, offering training on how to eliminate violence and support those in vulnerable situations. The organization also empowers women by helping them recognize their strengths and providing platforms to develop their skills.

One of MOMS Aid’s most impactful initiatives is their Ramadan Aid campaign, which began in 2020. During Ramadan, they distribute “Care Baskets” filled with essential food staples to families enduring financial hardship. These packages go beyond just providing food—they represent MOMS Aid’s commitment to the community. With over 260 families registered in their care list, the organization aims to provide packages to 500 families this year. This includes both registered families and others who reach out for support, demonstrating MOMS Aid’s wide-reaching impact.

Addressing Financial Hardship and Empowering Women

Fathimath Riyasa, Executive Director of MOMS Aid Executive Committee, spoke about the stark realities of financial hardship in the Maldives: “Unimaginable situations are happening across the country. We once thought there would be no poverty, no children struggling to get food. But as we started visiting families, we found that some are facing extreme financial hardship—these are the realities we are facing.”

Riyasa highlighted the organization’s ongoing efforts to support those in need, especially during Ramadan, through their initiative of distributing care packages. These packages, filled with essential food items, aim to bring some comfort to families who are enduring financial struggles. Riyasa expressed her gratitude for the sponsorships, which help ensure that more families can benefit from this initiative. She also reflected on the importance of the Ramadan campaign, which marks the sixth year of their mission to assist vulnerable communities.

Moreover, Uza. Azima Shukoor attended the event as a member of MOMS Aid and Hope for Women, where she highlighted the crucial role of financial independence in empowering women and protecting their rights. She emphasized the significant impact of organizations like MOMS Aid. Uza. Azima Shukoor also urged more resorts in the Maldives to collaborate with local NGOs, stating, “I appeal to others who can contribute to the protection of women’s rights. It is not an easy task. Thank you all so much for your support and for opening your hearts to our NGOs.”

Dusit’s Commitment to Empowering Women

Dusit took the opportunity during the event to highlight their ongoing commitment to empowering women, particularly within their organization. They shared that at their soon-to-open DusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, a special focus is placed on offering greater flexibility for female employees, enabling them to return home after work each evening—an important shift in an industry where workers are typically stationed at the resorts. In addition, Dusit emphasized their strides toward gender equality in leadership, noting that 30% of the leadership team at DusitD2 is made up of women. At the event, they also revealed that the resort will feature a female-only restaurant, a significant milestone for Dusit that underscores their continued dedication to creating opportunities for women within the workplace.

A Heartfelt Celebration of Giving and Empowerment

The Dusit 🩵 MOM event, guided by the heartfelt slogan Every Mom Matters, beautifully showcased the spirit of giving and empowerment. This collaboration with MOMS Aid not only provided essential support to families during Ramadan but also reinforced the importance of uplifting mothers—truly the foundation of every community. Through Dusit’s dedication and compassion, the event became a celebration of women’s strength, inspiring all to embrace the profound impact that each mother has in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future.