3. - usaid

Since the beginning of the program in October 1968 in Gabon, an additional
103 children evacuated f'rm Biam died.
Children removed f'rom Gabon to Ivory Coast
Others flown to Ivory Coast in May
Ivory Coast
500
1,600
Organizations involved in assistance to these children were: German Caritas
and Diakonisheswerk, Caritas International, French Red Cross, Gabonese Red
Cross (largely symbolic), French Comnittee for Struggle Against Hunger,
French Ministry of Defense, Terre Des Homes, French Association of Order
of Malta, and the Schweitzer Hospital.
FEDm NIGERIA
Following the secession action by Biafra in May 1967, the Federal lvlilitary
Government (FMG) declared on July 6, 1967, that it would reunite the country
and open hostilities comnenced. This led-to the dislocation of populations
along the northern and southern fYonts and the beginning of food shortages
in these FMG areas.
Development of the hergency in mvIG Areas
As FP/K: troops occupied more and more of the secessionist area, large nmbers
of people were caught behind Federal lines and cut off f'rm their homes and
sources of supplies.
The civilian emergency was slow in being recognized by the FMG. In the
spring of 1968 it had reached such proportions that the Nigerian Red Cross
and International Committee of the Red Cross were brought together to plan
a relief program. The FMG favored this plan and indicated that its major
function was to stop the secession and bring Nigeria back together again.
Subsequently, the FMG raised relief to a high priority operaation.
In August 1968, most of the homeless were found to be living in squalid,
temporary shelters, including storage sheds, public buildings, workersr
housing, markets and a variety of structures not intended for human habitation.
A nwnber of relocation canqps were set up but the civilian victims of
the war suffered fYom food deprivation and malnutrition. Many of them,
especially children, had kwashiorkor (malignant protein malnutrition) or
marasmus and other hunger-caused diseases. Medical services and facilities
were lacking. The number of people threatened by famine climbed to one
million.
Relief Action Taken by Federal Nigeria
On July 10, 1968, the FMG announced the establishment of a National
Rehabilitation Comnission and set aside $2,800,000 as a first installment
to carry out a program of emergency relief and rehabilitation. Codssion
members included permanent secretaries of the FMG and other chief executives.