The National Red Cross says a first batch of food aid to flood-stricken North Korea will depart on Monday.

Five-thousand tons of rice will be shipped from Gunsan Port and three million packages of instant noodles will leave from Incheon Port for the North.

The aid will be delivered on land via Dandong, China, and will arrive in the North Korean city of Sinuiju gradually through December.

Before the ship carrying rice leaves Gunsan in the afternoon, the Red Cross will hold a launch ceremony attended by the organization’s president Yoo Chong-ha and Unification Ministry officials.

Another vessel carrying ten-thousand tons of cement will leave Incheon for the North on Thursday.

The South Korean Red Cross first proposed the aid after North Korea suffered flood damage on the Amrok River in August.