WFP distributes relief to the displaced in S Philippines

COTABATO, Philippines, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- An international relief agency distributed relief to thousands of people displaced in the fighting between state security forces and Muslim rebels in the southern Philippines.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura, representatives from the United Nation's World Food Program, and local officials witnessed the first distributions of rice in Maguindanao on Tuesday where there are thousands of evacuees still staying in evacuation camps.

Tokyo channeled 455 million Philippine pesos (about 9.4 million U.S. dollars) to WFP to assist people affected by conflict and internal displacement in Mindanao.

"WFP is extremely grateful to the Government of Japan for its generous donation used to purchase 8,160 metric tons of rice," said WFP Country Director in the Philippines Stephen Anderson.

"This rice is being distributed to needy displaced families and will also play a critical role in complementing longer-term food security initiatives in Mindanao, thus building the stake of conflict affected population in the peace process," he added.

The WFP, the world's largest humanitarian agency, aims to feed around 100 million people in 77 countries this year.