3. - usaid

into the area starting in March, 1968, as reports reached the outside
world of increasing numbers of civilian victims. The fall of Port Harcourt
caused considerable reduction in the amount of food that could be smupgled
into Biafra. Also, there was a sudden influx of large numbers of persons
who had fled from Port Harcourt. As Federal forces advanced northwards,
thousands of Ibos fled from the captured towns into the bush or into the
now greatly reduced Biafran enclave, thus campounding the food problem.
By surmner of 1968, the death rate reportedly rose well above the normal
death rate of about 500 per day for a population of 7 million. No firm
figures on number of people dying dally from starvation were available but
there were statements by Biafran authorities and numerous organizations
which gave estimates ranging fm 5,000 to 10,000 deaths per day. Extensive
press coverage and public relations activities put pressure on the world to
help the Biaf'rans. Ihring the period k.can July to November 1968, estimates
of the total number who died ranged from 500,000 to over a million. The
death rate began to decline in November, and by December deaths Yrom famine
were considered to be well below the early autm levels. Although impmved
conditions were reportedly credited to the airlift of protein foods by
Joint Church Aid and the International Comnittee of the Red Cross, and the
supply of cassava and yams from the fall harvest, the full facts on what
happened inside Biafra may never be recorded. A relatively quiet military
situation allowed the civilians to work out better means for distribution
of food supplies and to apply self-help measures to increase food production.
Relief ~ction Taken by Biafra
The civilian emergency developed slowly following the outbreak of the war,
but by the summer of 1968 it had become a disaster of major magnitude.
Biafhm officials established a rehabilitation comission, set up relief
cws, nutritional clinics and feeding centers, accepted international
donations of food and medicines, initiated an intensive food production
program, carried out health treatment and disease prevention programs, and
reluctantly allbwed the evacuatim of some of its children for treatment
in nearby countries.
Biafra Rehabilitation Camission
In 1966, a Rehabilitation Comission was established primarily to aid in
rehabilitation or resettlement of the Ibo people who returned to eastern
Nigeria frcm other parts of the country. When Biafra decided to announce
secession in May of 1967, this camnission was expanded to included responsibility
for the care and welfare of all the people in Biafra who were in
need as a result of the secession and blockade.
Resident Camnissioners were appointed for the following zones: AbdAnnang;
UnuahidAbakaliki; Oji River; Orlu/Okigwi; ChitshdAwka and Owerri/Port
Harcourt. Cooperating with the members of the co~ssion were representatives
of the Catholic Mission, World Council of Churches, International
Camittee of the Red Cross, and a representative each from the Biafran
Directorates for Food Supply, Food Pmduction, Fuel Supply, Medical Supply,
Clot- and Housing.
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