According to the organization, RUTF came in the form of soft biscuits that contain necessary energy and micro-nutrients required for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition.

The first 10 out of 60 tons of RUTF arrived at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport on Friday, with the remaining supplies to be delivered in the coming weeks.

It will be distributed to commune health centers through the National Institute of Nutrition and be first prioritized to worst hit regions.

The UNICEF said around 10,000 children under five years old are suffering from acute malnutrition in nine storm-stricken central provinces and their health could further deteriorate. It is estimated the food aid would help over 4,000 acutely malnourished children every day for the next three months.

Rana Flowers, UNICEF representative to Vietnam, said: "These acutely malnourished children cannot wait. With the downturn caused by Covid-19, many families in this region were already struggling to provide three nutritious meals a day, and the flooding has dramatically compounded their situation."

Since early October to mid-November, central Vietnam provinces including Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Quang Binh and Ha Tinh were badly hit by flooding and landslides.

At least 235 people were killed or reported missing in October, according to the government. Several countries and international organizations have pledged relief aid to assist central Vietnam's disaster victims.