THE REFUGEE PROBLEM MUST BE MET
Ignoring, if one can, the complexities of political and diplomatic ramifications of the grim events in East Pakistan the question of the enormous humanitarion problem which the situation has spawned, deserves immediate and dramatic attention.
More than five hundred thousand refugees from Pakistan have already fled to nearby India and for all that, the latter nation’s determination to meet the problem head-on, it can seen that international assistance will be required quickly.
To be sure India may well have her sympathies in order but the enormous costs and mobilizing the action required to handle the evergrowing refugee total, will soon go beyond any single power’s ability to sustain.
When last year’s massive tidal-wave killed an undetermined number of Pakistanis, the idea was bandied about of establishing a fast-reaction emergency-relief force, which could spring to assistance to disaster area survivors.
International organizations such as the Red Cross, various United Nations groups and others deserve monumentous commendation for their efforts in this field, but it can be seen that as good as they are, they simply cannot handle the work-load involved.
The refugee problem which India now faces, will undoubtedly be a case in point. Awesome responsibilities of housing, feeding and tending to the medical needs of hundreds and hundreds of thousands of totally helpless refugees, will put an enormous strain on any nation or group that accepts responsibility of involvement.
With vast resources being devoted to the destruction of life, it hardly seems inconceivable that some small pittance could be put aside for worthy efforts in other directions. With enormous amounts being spent on discovering the mysteries of space, it is only proper that some be delegated to soothing the miseries which remain behind.
It is impossible to divorce reason for a refugee’s departure, and departure itself, but it is only fair that the immediate aspects of the problem be viewed in an humanitarian sense. This must be done, it must be done quickly, and it must be done effectively.
THE BANGKOK WORLD, 24.04.1971
Source : Bangladesh Doc. P. 468