The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has begun distributing packs of dates among the less-fortunate.

Taking to Twitter early Tuesday, the ministry noted that they have begun distributing date packs to the less-fortunate in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, on Monday night.

The Islamic ministry thanked the youth ministry for the help extended in carrying out the work.

Earlier, the ministry revealed that they are working to distribute 50 tonnes of dates gifted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom provides a supply of dates in time for the fasting month of Ramadan each year.

It was also revealed that they will be offered to every group of three households after packs are distributed among those registered as poor.

Malé City Council will be in charge of distributing the date packages to households in the capital and Villimalé while the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is to distribute them among households in Hulhumalé.

Further, the ministry is also in discussion with the atoll and island councils to distribute the packages to outlying atolls as well.

A total of 16,209 individuals are registered in the country as poor people, with 3,300 being registered in the capital city alone.