ILIGAN CITY, Philippines—The United Nations' humanitarian relief arm, the World Food Programme (WFP), will start distributing food aid to flood-hit people in northern Mindanao and Lanao del Sur on Tuesday, an official said.

Patricia Artadi-Facultad of the WFP Philippines office said the supply of some 630 metric tons of rice for about 25,000 families displaced by flood in the region has already arrived and were being prepared for handout.

She said the first batch of food aid is slated to be distributed in Cagayan de Oro; Opol, Alubijid and El Salvador towns in Misamis Oriental; and Lanao del Sur areas.

Facultad added the WFP rice assistance is expected to last the families for one month.

Earlier, Stephen Anderson, WFP's Country Director and Representative in the Philippines, has said the agency is "concerned over the growing number of persons displaced by this natural disaster, some of whom are already vulnerable due to the conflict in the area."

Anderson stressed that "the restoration of livelihoods of the affected people could take time."

"WFP fully understands that the situation remains fluid, and we will continue to work closely with government and NGOs (non-government organizations) on the ground to further assess and adjust our response accordingly," he further said.

Facultad said the food relief supply is WFP's response to requests by local governments relayed to it through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the wake of the massive displacement of residents from their communities affected by the storm surges.

She added that WFP also did its own rapid assessment in the affected areas in which it found that "food support should especially be extended to farmers and fisher folk."

The WFP statement noted the "growing food insecurity" in the evacuation centers that temporarily housed most of the flood-affected people.

It said its assistance aims to complement the aid currently provided by government and NGOs.

"WFP remains committed to providing support and technical expertise during emergencies and natural disasters, as needed and requested by government," Facultad stressed.

The agency's operation in the country is currently focused on supporting the Mindanao peace process through providing food aid to poverty-stricken households in conflict-affected communities.