The Philippines efforts to feed over two million displaced people in war-torn Mindanao in the northern tip of the country, was given a shot in the arm as the Japanese government recently approved the release of $1.2 million for the U.N. feeding program in the region.

The program was being spearheaded by the World Food Program. The WFP ended its 30 years of assistance to the Philippines in 1966 but decided to return to the country at the request of Manila and members of the international donor countries in support of the peace process in Mindanao.

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency.

The Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Italy Yuji Nakamura and WFP Executive Director James Morris signed the agreement for the release of the funds to support the feeding program.

A dispatch from the Japanese embassy said, "The money will be used as additional funds for WFP project for about 2.1 million internally displaced people and those living in conflict areas in Mindanao."

Under the feeding program, an estimated 170,000 school children will receive take-home rations of rice to help reduce the high dropout rates in the region.

Schools will also serve mid-morning snacks made from vitamin- and mineral-enriched corn-soya blend, vegetable oil and sugar.