The Foreign Ministry has dispatched care packages to Maldivian studying in Cuba as air travel still remained strained due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the Ministry said it is working to assist Maldivians who are stranded in countries where acquiring essential items have become worrisome due to the pandemic.

The Ministry said that it had sent care packages to 9 Maldivian students currently in Cuba and that it dispatched the care packages with the assistance from the Sri Lankan government.

It said that to facilitate the transfer, it held countless discussions with the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka along with the Maldivian High Commission in Sri Lanka.

The Ministry said the families of the students have sent 9 kg worth items to each student and that Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid has kept a close eye on the proceedings.

It also said noted the assistance from the Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Islamic Affairs, MACL, Maldives Customs, and Aviation Security Command for their part in sending off the care packages.

The foreign Ministry had dispatched care packages to Maldivians stranded in Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and Malaysia.

As for Cuba, a total of 3229 people has tested positive for COVID-19 in the country with 2547 now declared cured of the virus. Cuban authorities are treating 594 individuals still infected with the illness while 88 people have succumbed to the pandemic in Cuba.