According to the latest figures (September 2018) available from the Chagossian Welfare Fund, there are some 330 Chagossian natives and 1504 second generation Mauritians of Chagossian origin living in Mauritius.
The Government of Mauritius is fully sensitive to the plight of Mauritians of Chagossian origin and is sparing no efforts to improve their living conditions. While they enjoy the same rights as other Mauritian citizens, including access to free health services, free education and free public transport for students, elderly persons and disabled persons, the Government of Mauritius has taken, and continues to take, special measures in their favour. These measures include the donation of land for the construction of houses and the setting up of the Chagossian Welfare Fund.
The Government of Mauritius donated land in Baie du Tombeau (45 acres and 80 perches) and Pointe aux Sables (22 acres) to Mauritians of Chagossian origin. 1,202 adults received 40 toises each and 142 minors, 20 toises each.
The objects of the Chagossian Welfare Fund are to, inter alia, advance and promote the welfare of the members of the Chagossian community and their descendants, and develop programmes and projects for their total integration into Mauritius.
The Government of Mauritius has over the years increased the budget of the Chagossian Welfare Fund so that its Board can take appropriate measures to advance and improve the welfare of members of the Chagossian community. The measures which have been or are being taken include:
(a)
| scholarships to eligible students of the Chagossian community; |
(b)
| talks for young Mauritians of Chagossian origin on nutrition and drug abuse;
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(c)
| sports activities for young Mauritians of Chagossian origin;
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(d)
| residential camp for senior citizens of the Chagossian community;
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(e)
| distribution of provisions (edible items) to senior citizens and bedridden persons of the Chagossian community;
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(f)
| recreational activities for primary and secondary school students of the Chagossian community;
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(g)
| donation of building materials for repairs to be made to the roof of houses of Mauritians of Chagossian origin which leaked during heavy rainfalls;
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(h)
| visits to Mauritians of Chagossian origin in homes every three months, during which clothes and fruits are given to them;
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| (i) | funeral grants to families of deceased Mauritians of Chagossian origin;
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(j)
| financial assistance to Mauritians of Chagossian origin going for treatment abroad over and above that provided by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life;
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(k)
| provision of transport facilities to Mauritians of Chagossian origin who have appointments at hospitals; and
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(l)
| assistance to needy Mauritians of Chagossian origin for repairs to their houses.
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