Government has so far spent over $225 million on food for the Hurricane Melissa emergency response.

Social Security Minster Pearnel Charles Junior said this includes over $170 million, post hurricane.

Meantime, over 340,000 food packages have been distributed by the government to date.

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, pointed out that the majority went to affected persons in western parishes.

He added that the food assistance working group distributed over 3 million hot meals.

They were speaking at the post cabinet press briefing yesterday.