Evening star., 1946-03-08
2Otb Century Club
7 old Of UNNRA
Pressing Needs
BY Gretchen Smith
Women's Club Editor

"SHSA ~Ae1 Sdisoi
With series of droughts in the
Mediterranean area retarding food
production in North Africa, Italy
and Greece, and with China and
India and parts of South Africa
faced with food shortages, the starv-
ing peoples of the world will need
continued assistance long after the
period provided for UNRRA to
function has ended, Roy F. Hen
erickson, deputy director of UNRRA.
declared yesterday.
In planning for worldwide relief
prior to cessation of hostilities, the
nations subscribing tor UNRRA did
mot raise their sights high enough"
the speaker asserted at a meeting
of the Twentieth Century Club, and
many unforeseen circumstances have
greatly complicated the relief pro-
gram.
Original plans were made for re-
lief only for countries occupied by
the enemy. Mr.. Hendrickson ex-
planned. Subsequent needs for
starving populations of enemy coun-
tries have proven one of UNRRA's
greatest liabilities, he added, but
this relief must be continued in Ger
many, Italy, Austria and other
places, while paying nations such
as France also need help due to
shortages attributable to many
factors.
Lack of transportation has proven
a handicap in every part of the world
to national recoveries, the speaker
continued, retarding and often OBJ
structing the sending of foods from
productive areas to urban settle
ments.
II don't think there is an urban
population in Europe where adults
average as much as 1900 calories
day." he said. Here nearly every
one averages at least 5000 calories
a day with some diets as high as
5000 calories."
Mr.. Hendrickson told of a visit
to a TYPICAL case in Athens,
Greece, among many places COW
cred by the UNRRA official in his
inspection trips throughout the
world.
''The average fare of a middle
aged widow with four children, con-
sisted Of daily bread ration and
No. 2 size can of milk once a month"
he said. by selling two or three
slices of bread day she was able to
purchase fuel for the small char
coal canister which served for cook
ing and heating"
Besides food, medical supplies are
greatly needed, with special urgency
for drugs to combat malaria in
Italy and Greece. he continued.
Agricultural implements and seeds
are being sent to many countries.
Mr.. Hendrickson said, but some
times, we don't know whether to
send food or seeds. 1t will do no
good to have a good harvest next
fall If the person to harvest it is
dead"
The speaker explained how lack
Of transportation has retarded re-
covery in China. where means of
transportation has been largely by
water.
Nearly every barge. junk or river
boat was destroyed in China" he
said. THE TRANSFORMATION problem
there takes ones breath away"
Mr.. Hendrickson's overall picture
of world needs was far from opti-
mistic except for the clothing sup
ply Raw cotton and wool has been
sent to many countries still possess
ing textile machinery, and the high
ly successful clothing drives directed
by the United States. Canada and
Australia have relieved the pressure
for clothing which was so acute
few months ago.
Much serious, careful thinking
must be done regarding the period
when UNRRA will stop-in Europe
this fall and in Asia next spring.
The job won't be done in that time"
he sravely remarked II urge think
ing people not to let a vacuum Pc
riod develop before a new effort is
made for relief.p
Mrs. Howard Nichols, the presi-
dent. presided and introduced the
speaker.
Numerous articles, to be sold at
the clubs benefit card party for vet
Grams next Friday at the Wardman
Park Hotel, were brought to the
meeting and turned over to Mrs.
Robert S. Townsend, general chair
man of the event.