Russia sends humanitarian aid to flood-hit North Korea

MOSCOW, September 3 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will send two cargo aircraft containing humanitarian aid to North Korea Monday, to assist the region following the devastating floods that ravaged the country in August.

"The two IL-76 cargo planes will leave for Pyongyang at 11 p.m. Moscow time (7 p.m. GMT) and 11.20 p.m. Moscow time (7.20 p.m. GMT)," Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry said.

The humanitarian aid will contain tents, 25 tons of rice, 10 tons of sugar, 3 tons of baby food, as well as canned meat and milk products with a total weight of 53 tons estimated at $150,000.

Russia's government allocated a total of $300,000 in August to help North Korea following the recent flooding in the country that left hundreds dead, displaced some 300,000 and destroyed a sizeable portion of the country's crops.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov has charged the government with studying options for a $3 million increase in Russia's annual contribution to the World Food Organization to help North Korea purchase grain.

Currently, Russia's contribution to the WFO totals $11 million.