UN: 49,000 typhoon survivors receive rice

Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan carry bags of rice. Photo / AP

The United Nations World Food Programme says 49,000 people in and around the typhoon-battered city of Tacloban have received rice and canned food.

The 3-kilogram food packs distributed Wednesday by the Department of Social Welfare and Development are enough to feed a family for a few days, the WFP said in a press release.

Nearly 10 metric tons of high energy biscuits were delivered by plane to Tacloban on Wednesday, the release said. Another 25 metric tons of the biscuits will be sent to the city Thursday.

Survivors from Typhoon Haiyan have complained about shortages of water, food and medical supplies. Impassable roads and a lack of trucks have contributed to the problem.

- AP