The United States says it will provide North Korea with up to $900,000 in emergency flood aid, in the latest sign of an easing of tensions between the countries.

The U.S. State Department said Thursday it will contribute relief supplies to North Korea's Kangwon and North and South Hwanghae provinces.

It said that the provision of humanitarian assistance is separate from political and security concerns and demonstrates the United States' “concern for the well-being of the North Korean people.”

The State Department says the assistance will be channeled through U.S. non-governmental organizations.

Earlier this month North Korea's state media said recent floods in the country triggered by torrential rain killed 30 people and left thousands homeless.

The aid offer follows talks between U.S. and North Korean diplomats in New York last month as the United States gauges conditions for the resumption of international negotiations on ending North Korea's nuclear program.