MANILA, Philippines — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has expressed its gratitude to Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants for contributing P6.1 million ($144,000) to the WFP's on-going relief and early recovery operation for victims of Tropical Storm “Sendong” (Washi) and school meals program in conflict-affected areas of central Mindanao.

“We are deeply impressed with the dedication of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell staff who actively promoted the World Hunger Relief campaign in their restaurants, and in the process raised generous support to help fight hunger,” said WFP Philippines Country Director and Representative Stephen Anderson. “We are also grateful that they extended their campaign to seek additional assistance for Tropical Storm Washi survivors.”

About 155 Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants, which are part of the Yum! Brands chain, collected donations throughout the country during a campaign from November 2011 to January 2012.