TOKYO: Japan is planning to provide food assistance to Ukrainians who have fled Russia’s invasion of their country and other people affected by the crisis, Jiji Press learned Monday.

It will be the first time for the Asian nation to send food items as part of its relief supplies provided in response to Russia’s aggression. The Japanese government will soon make an announcement.

Japan plans to deliver packets of precooked rice, hardtack, canned food and other items to Poland, which has accepted a large number of evacuees from Ukraine.

The government is planning to transport the goods on a chartered plane as early as May.

The delivered goods will be transported to a Ukrainian government facility in Poland before being distributed to evacuees and people who remain in Ukraine.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Japan has so far donated 28 million dollars to the U.N. World Food Program to provide food assistance to those affected by the Ukraine crisis.

The government has decided to send food items in response to moves such as a request by Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky.

JIJI Press