A cargo plane carrying food and hygiene kits departed from Miami on Tuesday, bound for Cuba. The shipment is part of US efforts to provide direct assistance to the island's residents. The US State Department has arranged for the items to be distributed by Catholic groups in Cuba, bypassing the government.

This shipment is the first part of a $100 million offer made by the US to Cuba, totaling $60 million. Further details on this development are available from the US State Department and other sources.