UN General Assembly
1948

Mr. Beasley stated that the International Children’s Emergency Fund had undertaken one of the most valuable tasks of the United Nations, in relieving the sufferings and needs of children in Europe and in other devastated and under-developed areas. The Australian Government had given constant support to the Fund and its contribution was second to that of the United States of America. He appealed to all Governments which had not already done so to give that work their utmost support. The Fund distributed relief, on a non-discriminatory basis, to the children of the world, the children who knew no politics and who were suffering from the effects of war and economic conditions in whose creation they had played no part. Their health, their education and their well-being were one of the surest foundations it was possible to build for future peace. The Children’s Fund and assistance to children generally throughout the world had received valuable aid since the United Nations issued its Appeal for Children. Over 16 million dollars had been raised during the year by the Appeal. It had brought vividly before the people of the whole world the conditions under which many children had to live, and the need for improving those conditions. It had brought home to the individual citizens of each country the actual work of the United Nations and its purpose and principles.