3. - usaid
3. - usaid
3. - usaid
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The Commission was given the responsibility of obtaining food, clothing,<br />
medicine, and shelter for the needy affected by the war, inclang Ibos<br />
remaining in "liberatedtt areas, and with determining priorities for emergency<br />
relief operations in all parts of Nigeria. 'FMG funds enabled the Comnission<br />
to purchase and distribute local foods and medical supplies to displaced<br />
persons in war area relief centers and camps. Each of the four States<br />
affected by the civil war-East Central, Rivers, Mid-Western, and South<br />
Eastern-established a State Rehabilitation Commission. These conmissions<br />
worked in cooperation with the National Conmission on local food procurement.<br />
They organized local distribution teams, coordinated Nigerian Red Cross<br />
staff and volunteers, and opened public buildings and areas for use by<br />
displaced persons and for food distribution.<br />
Orphan camp in Uyo - October 1968<br />
Prior to establishing<br />
the National Rehabilit at i<br />
Comission, the F'MG had<br />
authorized the Nigerian<br />
Red Cross to ask the<br />
International Committee<br />
of the Red Cross (ICRC),<br />
as a neutral intermediary<br />
to issue an appeal to<br />
all national Red Cross<br />
societies and other<br />
goverrnnents for help in<br />
meeting the needs of<br />
the victims. ICRC<br />
accepted the major<br />
responsibility for<br />
bringing food and medical<br />
assistance to<br />
Nkeria in coo~eration<br />
with the ~i~eria Red<br />
Cross and the National<br />
Rehabilitation Commission.<br />
In October of 1968 the Comnission sponsored a joint medical/relief operation<br />
for areas north of Port Harcourt. Two ICRC teams were provided assistance<br />
by 25 members of the Nigerian Red Cross, the State Rehabilitation Commission,<br />
and the F'MG military forces. The Nigerian Red Cross under Commission<br />
auspices inaugurated a series of orientation courses for expatriates and<br />
Nigerian relief workers to give realistic training in the over-all relief<br />
program and to enable Nigerians to assume more of the work done by<br />
expatriates.<br />
The Comission coordinated its operations with those of the Nigerian Red<br />
Cross and ICRC, and made plans for taking over fromthe international<br />
voluntary agencies at the end of hostilities. (See ICRC section of this<br />
report for f'urther information on their coordinated program. )
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