Displaced families due to the Mayon unrest received rice from the government of Japan on Thursday.

According to Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko, Japan Minister for Economic Affairs Nihei Daisuke led the distribution of 300 metric tons, or 10,000 bags of rice, to displaced residents.

"Hope the warm hearts of the people of Japan surely reach the affected families in Albay," Koshikawa said in a post on Twitter.

300MT of Rice 🍚 from Japan handed over to the affected families displaced due to the eruption of Mt. Mayon. Hope the warm hearts of people of Japan 🇯🇵 surely reach to the affected families in Albay 🙏 pic.twitter.com/SUza1iO76C

— Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) August 17, 2023

"Extending our support to the affected families of the Mt. Mayon eruption through 300 MT of rice from Japan arrived at DSWD warehouse PH. Wishing them strength and a swift recovery as they navigate this challenging time", he added, sharing DSWD's Twitter post.

Extending our support to the affected families of the Mt. Mayon eruption through 300 MT of rice 🍚 from 🇯🇵 Japan arrived at DSWD warehouse 🇵🇭 Wishing them strength and a swift recovery as they navigate this challenging time 🙏 https://t.co/tRAppOzH2e

— Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) August 15, 2023

The donations were made through the initiative of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve program.

Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed that 9,876 families, or 38,396 people have been affected by Mayon’s unrest since June.

Around 5,369 families, or 18,798 people, remain in 27 evacuation centers across Albay.