Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Matsushiro Horiguchi gave away the documents to Minister for Food and Disaster Management Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf.

This fresh Japanese consignment arrived in Chittagong on 12 May. The rice is a donation to the United Nations World Food Programme's ongoing flood-relief operations, now in its final recovery phase.

Japan gave over 5,000 tons of wheat worth 2 million US dollar to WFP supported Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) activities in Bangladesh in December last year.

At the handing over ceremony, Ambassador Horiguchi said the consignment is a sign of Japan's commitment to the people of Bangladesh in their struggle against natural disasters.

"We hope to reach out and support the poorest households in their recovery from the last year's floods," he said.

WFP Representative in Bangladesh, Douglas Casson Coutts in a joint statement said, "Japan has emerged as one of the most committed and dependable supporters of Bangladesh for its relief and developmental needs. We, in WFP, recognise the importance of this relationship and will do our utmost to further it."

The donation was scheduled to arrive in January. But following the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004, Japan and Bangladesh, on the behest of WFP, agreed to divert the ship, which was just off the coast of Sumatra, to help the millions of affected people.

The Japanese government arranged to replace the rice with a fresh consignment directed to Bangladesh, which arrived on 12 May.

The rice ration will be distributed to some 250,000 households in Sirajganj, Sunamganj, Netrakona, Kishoreganj and Faridpur.