3. - usaid

Specifics on ICRC relief
operations for Biaf'ra
and Federal Nigeria
follow .
ICRC - BIAFRA
Airlif't
Because neither side
could agree on how to
move large quantities of
supplies, night airlift
became the method for
importation of high
protein food and medical
supplies into the Biafkan
enclave. Although inadequate
to meet the
ICRC G97G at Cotonou airfield
total food needs, the
airlifts served well
in feeding the hungry, reducing the threat of famine and controlling
kwashiorkor.
In June/July 1968, ICRC began its first airlift into Biafra from the city
of Santa Isabel on the Spanish island of Fernando Po, which got its independence
in October 1968. At first only intermittent flights were made.
In September ICRC launched a full scale airbridge. Airfields at Uli and
Obilago were used to land the supplies in Biafra. ICRC had built the airfield
at Obilago with
Biaf'ran help for the
sole purpose of humanitarian
aid, but its
early capture and closure
by the FMG ended its
short period of usef'ulness.
Obilago airstrip
All relief flights were
extremely dangerous
because of the physical
limitations of the airstrip,
the need to land
under cover of darkness,
and the menace of military
intervention. The FMG
did not give approval for
night flights on the
grounds they were used
for delivery of arms
as well as relief goods.
ICRC planes confined