DUBAI, June 23 (Xinhua) -- A United Arab Emirates (UAE) relief ship carrying 824 tonnes of food aid has arrived at the port of Kismayo in Jubaland in Somalia, state news agency WAM reported Saturday.

The food aid will be distributed to people in need in the drought-stricken area of Jubaland with the objective of alleviating the suffering of the Somali people, an official source was quoted as saying.

Somali officials have hailed the much-needed humanitarian aid from the UAE to Somalia, WAM said.