W. German M. P. s Demand Special Aid Measures
BONN, July 18. – Special aid measures for Bangladesh refugees were demanded here
on Wednesday by two West German M.P.s who are just back from a ten-day fact· finding tour of India and East Bengal reports, UNI. Quoting DPA.
The two M.P.s Prince Sayn Wittgenstein a Christian Democrat and Mr. Wolff Meinecke, a Social Democrat, said in a report that roofing material was most urgently required to save the refugees from rain but high calorie and vitamin baby food as well as selected medicines were also of vital importance.
In addition to this, transportation means such as lorries and Airplanes should be sent.
They reported that the flow of refugees from East Bengal to India was continuing.
About $400 million (Rs. 300 crores) were required to give them adequate supplies within the next six months and international aid should be stepped up and better coordinated than hitherto, they said.
West Germany has so far sent 144,000 square meters of army surplus canvas to Calcutta to provide tents for the refugees.
A campaign by the South-west German Radio Station has produced 30 additional tons of tent-canvas food and two semi-trailers.
In Calcutta E. Merck (India) Private Ltd. Has donated vitamin tablets worth Rs. 10,000 to the Director of Health Services, West Bengal Government as their donation to the Bangladesh evacuees.
PTI reports that officers and employees of Smith Stanistreet who saved Rs. 1,000 by foregoing one day’s meal contributed the amount for the relief of Bangladesh refugees.
A cheque for the amount was handed over by the representatives of the employees to Mr. B. S. Nahar, former Deputy Chief Minister.
In Bombay, medicines costing about Rs. 40,000 were received by the Maharashtra Governor Mr. Ali Yavar Jung, at the Raj Bhavan yesterday from two of the city’s pharmaceutical firms for the Bangladesh refugees.
Mr. Jung who is the president of the Red Cross Society, received the consignments on behalf of the society.
According to Reuter the Anglican Church of Canada has given $25,000 for refugee relief.
Fiji’s Ambassador to the U. N. Mr. Semese K. Sikivou, has sent a cheque for $5,000 to the Secretary-General U Thant for use in aiding East Bengal refugees in India.
The cheque is being forwarded to the U. N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Prince Sadrudding Aga Khan in Geneva.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 19.07.1971