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UNITED STATES COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES
WORLDREFUGEEREPORTTABLE OF CONTENTS
The World's Refugees 1970 3
Between the Lines . . . 6
Interpretive Notes-Africa, Asia, Europe,Middle East, WesternHemisphere.
Who is a Refugee? . . . 8
Definition Isn'tVery Definite.
The Uncounted . . . . 9
Nature's Refugees-Moving to the City-
Returnees-The New Foreigners.
When Peace Comes toIndochina . . .. 10
Who Will be OurPeace Makers?
East Pakistan Refugees .12
No One Wants to be aRefugee ....... .16
Those Outstanding Americansare behind the work of the
U. S. COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES, INC.20 West 40th St., New York, N.Y. 10018
Telephone: 212 LOngacre 4-3272
OFFICERSMAXWELL M. RABB, President
GEORGE MEANY, Vice PresidentSAMUEL W. MEEK, Vice President
CHRISTOPHER H. PHILLIPS, SecretaryREGINALD H. NELFFERIC, Treasurer
VICTOR JACOBS, General CounselFRANCES H. HOWARD,
Chairman of the Executive Committee
R. NORRIS WILSON,Executive Vice President
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
Marian AndersonJoseph A. Beirne
William S. BernardWalter H. Bieringer
Dorothea BlumWilliam L BreeseMadeleine CarrollMrs. Edison Dick
Joseph W. DonnerAngler Biddle Duke
Luther H. EvansJohn B. Ford, II
Mrs. Erwin N. GriswoldJohn W. Hones, Jr.
Celeste HolmJ. Donald KingsleyGloria Starr KinsWilliam T. Kirk
1. Robert KriendlerMrs. Albert 0. Lasker
Ralph LazarusWilbert J. LeMelle
Henry A. LoebMrs, Oswald B. Lord
Clare Boothe luceJames MacCrackenJuvenal Marchisio
George M. MardikianEdward B. MarksGraham Martin
Robert S. McColiumE. Frederic MorrowRobert D. MurphyRuth Z. Murphy
Henry V. PoorJacob S. Potofsky
Marsha Hunt PresnellRichard W. ReuterMary G. RoeblingKarl F. Rolvag
George N. ShusterMrs. Harper SibleySpyros P. Skouras
Lowell ThomasAlexandra TolstoyRobert F. WagnerRichard H. WestJames W. Wine
Contributions to the United StatesCommittee for Refugees, Inc.
are tax dedutible.
Editor: R. Norris Wilson
Art Work & Layout: William K. Wilson
Editorial Assistants:June Brooks, Mary Thompson,Sandra Bartee, Jean Hatswell
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Since 1945, the year when the United Nations was organized,there have been seventy-five wars. To most of us, violence and en-mity have become so large a part of our daily life that we are almostunaware of it. Most of us have now forgotten mQst of the wars inthis awful catalogue, but their victims have not forgotten.
Not counting the dead and wounded, not counting the uncount-able casualties of the fighting itself, we know that there remaintoday 17,587,405 refugees who are, in very large part, the casual-ties of a world in conflict. Of course, many millions of refugees havebeen resettled and are no longer refugees, but from the wars' awfultoll others have been forced to take their places in this grim rosterof human suffering. In the last seven years since 1964, the totalrefugee population of the world has grown from 7,910,309 to17,587,405.
If, because violence has become a part of our daily environment,we have forgotten most of the wars of the last twenty-five years, wenow recall, even more painfully, that most of us have forgotten theirvictims. We believe that there is a relationship between our warringand the number of refugees in the world.
IN ANY EVENT, THE SHOCKING NUMBER OF REFUGEES ONEVERY CONTINENT IS TRAGIC EVIDENCE OF MAN'S INABILITY TOMANAGE HIMSELF, HIS RELIGION, HIS POLITICS AND HIS HUNGERSWITH DUE CONCERN FOR HIS FELLOW MAN.
THE UNITED STATES COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES...1. Provides through its WORLD
REFUGEE REPORT, currentcomprehensive and authorita-tive data on refugee situationsthroughout the world;
2. Maintains a referral service forrefugees, former refugees, rela-tives or refugees, and citizensinterested or involved in individ-ual refugee situations;
3. Acts as an information, liaisonand service agency for the morethan 70 American Voluntaryorganizations engaged in Refu-gee Assistance Programs;
4. Seeks financial support for theRefugee service activities of TheUnited Nations and the work
of American non-governmentalagencies;
5. Assists the United Nations refu-gee agencies by providing thempublicity assistance in theUnited States; -
6. Serves as an information centerfor the mass media;
7. Furnishes individual students,colleges, universities, and sec-ondary schools with educationalmaterials on the world refugeeproblem;
8. Makes financial grants to oper-ating agencies according to theavailability of its funds for spe-cial emergency projects pro-posed by the agencies.
17,587,405 Homeless-Victims of War, Intolerance and Social UnrestCOUNTRY OF ASYLUM
EAST ASIAAustraliaAustraliaChinaHong KongHong KongMacauNew ZealandTerritory of Papua & New Guinea
SOUTHEAST ASIABhutanCambodiaCambodiaIndiaIndiaIndiaIndonesia 1W. Borneo)Indonesia (W. Borneo)LaosNepalPakistanSikkimSouth VietnamSouth VietnamThailandThailandThailandVarious Countries in Asia
TOTAL - ASIA
MIDDLE EASTDubaiGaza StripIsraelIsraelJordan (West Bank)Jordan (East Bank)LebanonLebanonLebanonSyrian Arab RepublicSyrian Arab RepublicTurkeyVarious Middle East CountriesVarious Middle East Countries
TOTAL - MIDDLE EAST
NORTH AFRICAMoroccoUnited Arab RepublicUnited Arab RepublicUnited Arab Republic
NORTHEAST AFRICAEthiopiaEthiopiaEthiopiaEthiopiaSomali RepublicSomali RepublicSomali RepublicSudanSudan
COUNTRY OF EXILE
Eastern EuropeCzechoslovakia
RussiaChina
Eastern EuropeChina
Eastern EuropeWest Irian
TibetNationals
South Vietnam detaineesEast PakistanWest Pakistan
TibetChina
NationalsNationals
TibetIndiaTibet
NationalsCambodia (repatriates)
BurmaChina
North VietnamEurope
ZanzibarPalestine
PolandVarious Countries
PalestinePalestine
ArmeniansPalestine
Middle East & EuropeCircassians (USSR)
PalestineEastern Europe
EuropeVarious Middle East Countries
PalestineMiddle East & Europe
Various S. African Countries
MozambiqueSomali Republic
SudanSouthern Africa
Ethiopia (Eritrea) -
French SomalilandKenyaCongo
Ethiopia (Eritrea
1969 1970 SOURCE
44,000 46,000', USCR992 1,200' , USCR
10,OOE 1,000" ORM2,035,000 2,000,000 ORM
- 1,000 / ORM73,000 65,000 ORM3, 3:0 300- UNHCR*6,000' -
6,000 6,000 Office of Tibet, USA- 500,000' Senate Sub-Committee
20,000 200,000 Senate Sub-Committee2,000,000 4,450,7494 USCR1,000,000 - USCR
55,000 56,000 Office of Tibet, USA60,000 40,000 USCR40,000 40,0001 USCR
260,000 300,000 Senate Sub-Committee8,000 8,000 Office of Tibet, USA
260,000 260,000 ORM5,000 5,000 Office of Tibet, USA
1,197,143 3,500,000 Senate Sub-Committee- 200,000 Senate Sub-Committee
30,000 30,000 USCR7,300 7,300 ORM
40,000 40,000 ORM2,000 2,000 " USCR
7,162,435 11,762,249
200307,714
2,000'52,000'
271,796489,762
253' 2
171,517
8,000154,285
10,00010,000
350,000
1,819,527
3,00045,000
500500
1170,00020,000
30189,000
12,000218,000
7,50038,000
256' / UNHCR*/USCR311,814 UNRWA
272,691 UNRWA506,038 UNRWA
175,958 UNRWA5,200 UNHCR*8,000 USCR
158,717 UNRWA10,000, USCR10,000- / USCR
350,000 USCR
1,800,674
3,2901/ UN Mission, Morocco3,000k UNRWA4,800 UNHCR*500 USCR
117 USCR70,000 UN Mission, Ethiopia20,000 League of Red Cross Societies
30' USCR189,00012,000' Conf. Document Addis
218,000 (Ababa:67 (unconfirmed)6,500 ORM
48,000 ORM
COUNTRY OF ASYLUM COUNTRY OF EXILE 1969 1970
CENTRAL AND EAST AFRICAAngolaAngolaBurundiBurundiCentral African RepublicCentral African RepublicCentral African RepublicCongo, Dem. Republic ofCongo, Dem. Republic ofCongo, Dem. Republic ofCongo, Dem. Republic ofCongo, Dem. Republic ofKenyaKenyaKenyaKenyaMalawiMalawiRwandaTanzaniaTanzaniaTanzaniaTanzaniaTanzaniaTanzaniaTanzaniaUgandaUgandaUgandaZambiaZambiaZambiaZambia
SOUTHERN AFRICABotswanaBotswanaLesothoSwazilandSouth Africa
WEST AFRICACameroonDahomeyDahomeyEquatorial GuineaGabonGhanaNigeriaSenegalTogoVarious African CountriesOther Refugees in Africa*
TOTAL - AFRICA
Congo,ZambiaCongoRwandaChadCongoSudanAngola
HaitiRwandaSudan
ZambiaRwanda
South AfricaSudanUganda
MozambiqueSouth Africa
BurundiCongoKenya
MalawiMozambique
RhodesiaRwanda
SudanCongo
RwandaSudanAngolaCongo
MozambiqueOther S. African Countries
AngolaS. Africa; S. W. Africa; Rhodesia
South AfricaS. Africa; Mozambique
Czechoslovakia
NigeriaIvory Coast; Senegal; Mali
NigeriaNigeriaNigeria
CameroonNationals
Portuguese GuineaNigeria
South Africa
2,0004,500
20,00072,000
5,00019,500
475,0001,500
24,00066,00015,000
50450200
15,00030
12,6006,0002,500
60033,000
2014,000
60034,00070,50071,500
8,000300
3,600350
4,000200200
90612
500'12,000
700'40,000'
1,000'50
3,500,000'63,000
20'2,500
5,206,213
3,0004,500
10,00036,000
1,5005,000
21,000553,000
2,000k24,00075,00015,000
50'450'200'
5,000-15,000
30'12,5002,000
60043,500
20'13,500
25'34,50071,00071,50010,000
5004,000
350'
4,00020040092
612 "'
12,000
50'
68,000
2,50051,000"
1,748,710
ORMORMORMORMORMUNHCR*UNHCR*WCCUSCRORMWCClORDUSCRUSCRUSCRUSCRORMUSCRCRSORM
CRSORMUSCRORMUSCRORMUNHCR*UNHCR*ORMORMORMUSCR
UNHCR*USCRUN Mission, LesothoUN Mission, SwazilandUSCR
USCR
USCR
ORM
ORMUNHCR*
EUROPE AND UNITED KINGDOMAustriaAustria CzechoslovakiaBelgium Eastern EuropeFrance BrazilFrance Eastern Europe/N. AfricaFrance GreeceFrance PortugalFrance SpainFrance TunisiaGermany CzechoslovakiaGermany Eastern EuropeGreece Eastern EuropeItaly CzechoslovakiaItaly Eastern EuropeItaly North AfricaNetherlands Eastern EuropeNorway Eastern EuropeSpain CubaSweden Eastern Europe
24,00011,83447,000
187,000
100,00023,000
4,652110,000
8,0001,793
13,0002,5008,000
23,74017,000
25,0008,000
47,00040
150,0004060
10,000"23,000
4,117110,000
8,0001,500
13,0002,5008,0006,200
15,00017,000
UNHCR*USCRUNHCR*CIMADEUSCRCIMADECIMADESRAJDCUN Observer, GermanyUNHCR*UNHCR*USCRUNHCR*ORMUNHCR*UN Mission, NorwayICEMUNHCR*
SOURCE
COUNTRY OF ASYLUM COUNTRY OF EXILE
Switzerland CzechoslovakiaSwitzerland Eastern EuropeSwitzerland TibetUSSR ChinaUnited Kingdom Various CountriesYugoslavia Albania
TOTAL -EUROPE AND UNITED KINGDOM
WESTERN HEMISPHEREArgentina ChileArgentina Chile; Bolivia: ParaguayBahamas HaitiCanada Eastern EuropeCanada TibetDominican Republic HaitiEl Salvador HondurasPuerto Rico CubaPuerto Rico HaitiUnited States CzechoslovakiaUnited States CubaUnited States Hong KongUnited States HaitiUnited States TibetUnited States Various CountriesVarious Latin American Countries CubaVarious Latin American Countries Eastern Europe
TOTAL - WESTERN HEMISPHERE
1969
10,00020,500
60070,000
161,00026,000
869,619
1,000,00015,00010,000
5,000
14,9385,0001,800
493,300918E3
6,00070
550,00048,500
110,000
2,260,526
1970
12,30020,000
70012
161,00026,000
668,457
17,000
15,00015,175
250300,00040,326
7,5005,0002,000
457,4944
50,00070
550,000"37,500
110,000
1,607,315
SOURCE
{Swiss Government
UN Mission, United KingdomUNHCR*
USCR
AHCUN Mission, CanadaOffice of Tibet, USAAHCUN Mission, El SalvadorUSCRIRCUSCRUSCR
USCROffice of Tibet, USAUSCRORMUNHCR*
SUMMARYTotal World R
AreaAsiaMiddle EastAfricaEurope and
United KingdomWestern Hemisphere
TOTAL
efugee Population1969 1970
7,161,435 11,762,2491,819,527 1,800,6745,206,213 1,748,710
869,619 668,4572,260,526 1,607,315
17,318,320 17,587,405
ABBREVIATIONSAHC -American Haitian CommitteeCIMADE -Comit6 des Intermouvements aupres
des Evacu~sCRS-USCC -Catholic Relief Services, United
States Catholic ConferenceICEM -Intergovernmental Committee for
European MigrationlORD -International Organization for Rural
DevelopmentIRC -International Rescue CommitteeJDC -Joint Distribution CommitteeORM -Office of Refugee and Migration Af-
fairs, Department of State, U. S.Government
SRA -Spanish Refugee AidUNHCR -Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for RefugeesUNRWA -United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine RefugeesUSCR -United States Committee for
Refugees
WCC -World Council of Churches
NOTESThese figures represent the estimated num-ber of refugees in each country (whetherresettled or not) subject to the protectionand/or assistance of the Office of theUnited Nations High Commissioner forRefugees.
1. Refugees in many countries are not dis-tinguished from other immigrants and are,therefore, not officially known as "ref-ugees."
2. Refugees repatriated.
3. Refugees in their homelands who, becausethey have not crossed an internationalborder, retain citizenship.
4. Migration from East Pakistan into Indiafrom partition in 1947 to the beginning ofthe fighting March 1971 was 2,450,749.New refugees March 1971 to the present-2,000,000. This estimated total includes allPakistani refugee movements into India,both East and West.
5. U. S. State Department-AID asserts that thenumber of refugees in the official regis-teries total 500,000. There are, however, atleast 3,000,000 refugees not registeredwho remain in camps or urban slums ac-cording to a staff report of the Senate Sub-Committee on Refugees and Escapees.
6. Data from the Israel Information Servicesdoes not distinguish between refugees andimmigrants.
7. These are, in the main, refugee studentsfrom South African states.
8. It is reported (January 1971) that "in recentmonths thousands of refugees from Ugandahave fled into Kenya." Our figure is a mini-mal estimate.
9. The presumption is that with the end offighting in Nigeria, these refugees havebeen repatriated and resettled.
10. Algeria, Cameroon, Dahomey, Gabon, Ghana,Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo,Morocco, Tunisia.
11. Most Spanish refugees in France are nowfully integrated. There remains, however, apainful residual problem of more than10,000 persons still needing specific as-sistance.
12. No current information available.
13. See the "Uncounted," page 9.
14. The total refugee migration from Cuba tothe United States is now nearly 500,000.Most of this group since their admission asrefugees have adjusted their status and arenow "permanent residents" and are en-titled to the privileges of all other per-manent residents. The Office of Refugeeand Migration Services believes that thereare 175,000 whose status has not been ad-justed and who are, therefore, still regardedas refugees.
15. Strictly speaking, a refugee remains arefugee until he becomes a citizen in hiscountry of asylum. However, most of thepersons included in this total have now be-come permanent residents-if not citizens-and are fully integrated into their Amer-ican communities. This note would alsoapply to the United Kingdom and to mostWestern European countries.
ERRATUMEl. The figure for 1969 should have been 1,000.E2. These refugees are included with the
10,000 in Various Middle East Countries.E3. Included in the total of 550,000 from Vari-
ous Countries.
1969: 5,206,213-1970: 1,748,710
During the fighting in Nigeria, responsible officials saidthat there were 3,500,000 persons displaced from theirhomes and fields-in other words refugees, within Nigeria.It was also true that large numbers of persons fled or weretransported to neighboring states where they sought asylum.
Now the fighting is over. Strictly speaking, these peopleare no longer refugees and the total number of refugees inAfrica in the 1971 Report is reduced by this number. Wedo not assume that all of those displaced by the fighting arenow resettled. There continues to be wide-spread need forrelief and rehabilitation services. The Nigerian Govern-ment, together with church organizations and others withinNigeria and from abroad, are maintaining a wide rangeprogram of emergency nutritional, and medical as well aslong range reconstruction.
As to the Sudan, a strong effort on the part of the Sudan-ese Government to encourage and effect the repatriation ofSouthern Sudanese to their former homes remains ineffec-tive. The flow of refugees out of the Southern Sudan intoEthiopia, Uganda, Congo and the Central African Republichas radically decreased but continues.
Elsewhere in this Report ("The Uncounted," page 9), wehave referred to the new forced exodus of non-Ugandianurban workers from Kenya to Uganda. The deportation ofnon-nationals from Ghana is also noted.
Southern African student migrants, many of them in thecapital cities of East Africa, while their numbers are small,are increasingly demoralized. Strong efforts are being madeto meet the needs of these young men and women in such
A$7A
Refugees
a way as to prevent an increasing flow from SouthernAfrica.
It is a source of deep satisfaction that the programs ofthe United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees inrural resettlement continue to provide homes and self-support for many thousands of rural refugees. Detailed in-formation about these programs is available from both theUnited States Committee for Refugees and the Office ofthe United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,United Nations Plaza, New York, N. Y. 10017.
Sudanese refugees-rural resettlement project Nakapiripirit, Uganda.Brian McDermot
1969: 7,161,435 - 11,762,249
The marked and tragic increase in the number of refu-gees in Asia is due to the new fighting in Laos and Cam-bodia. We also have a more accurate appraisal of the war'seffect on the entire civil population in South Vietnam. Weall now have some solid reasons for hope that peace maycome to Indochina, and the disruption of life in the coun-tries of that area may cease.
When the fighting stops, there will be immense need forrelief and reconstruction services of all kinds-needs nowestimated to involve an expenditure of, perhaps, two billiondollars a year.
Another major factor in the increase of refugee popula-tion in Asia is the terrible tragedy in East Pakistan. Withinthe period under review, a typhoon in the Bay of Bengaltook 300,000 lives and left 3,000,000 homeless. Civil war,which began in March 1971, has so far resulted in the
fleeing attack on Sagon May 5 1971Wd. Weorld flight of more than 2,000,000 into Eastern India,
NOTE: On June 1, 1971, with the continuing movement of Refugees
from East Pakistan now reported at 60,000 per day, and totaling 3,500,-
000, the world's refugee population is 19,087,405.
K~K
VK 1969: 869,619-1970: 668,457
During the period under review, we note some increasesin the flow of refugees from Eastern Europe to the West,particularly from Hungary.
France, according to our reports, is now receiving refu-gees from Brazil, Argentina and Greece. Refugees fromthese countries have also found asylum in other countriesof Western Europe. A special problem in France, which hasalways been hospitable to refugees and now has a total of150,000, is the arrival of very young Portuguese (16 yearsof age) who migrate in order to avoid conscription in thePortuguese forces.
A major factor in the reduction of the total number ofrefugees reported in Europe is our adjustment in the num-ber of Spaniards in France who were refugees from thefighting in 1937. Other adjustments downward reflect the
Their years are long and their problems many. integration and resettlement of refugees during the pastyear.
1969: 1,819,527-1970: 1,800,674
The change in numbers of refugees in the Middle Eastwhile not marked, does show a continuing increase in thenumbers of Palestinian refugees reported by the UnitedNations Relief & Works Agency. These figures however,do not show the tragic fact that in East Jordan, many refu-gees have become refugees for the third and fourth time.
The fighting in Jordan, which is the reason for thistragic fact, is a new factor in the Middle East scene. It wasa frustrated effort to gain recognition of the fact that thePalestinians are a people whose right to self determinationhas been ignored.
The refugee problem is a Palestinian problem and thePalestinians are trying to establish the right and proprietyof speaking for themselves. The effort was rooted in despairand its effect mostly nullified by the shock tactics employed.Attention was focused on the high jackings and not on thesubstance of the message. The unheard message was simplythat the Palestinians regard themselves as a people with ahistoric identity, which is neither Jordanian, Egyptian,Syrian or Lebanese, and that their right to speak for them-selves and share responsibly and honorably in the determina-tion of their future had been denied them.
Israel continues to receive migrants from many parts ofthe world. The Israeli Government's yearbook for 1969and 1970 states that there were, between January and
September 1969, 27,021 migrants from all continents. Theyearbook does not refer to these persons as refugees. On theother hand, we know that many of them have migrated toIsrael as a result of persecution and the loss of civil rightsin their former homelands.
We know also that there are a good many persons ofJewish descent, who are in the process of migration tocountries other than Israel.
Job training is the key to their future.Wide World
K1969: 2,260,526-1970: 1,607,315
The total refugee population in the Western Hemispherein this Report, is the result of our judgment in respect tourban migrants in the Argentine (see "The Uncounted,"page 9). It is also affected by new information in regard tothe number and location of refugees from Haiti.
The 40,326 refugees reported by the Government of ElSalvador are of El Salvadorean ethnic origin. They had livedin Honduras for years, if not generations, and they recently
have been driven out of that Country as a result of civilstrife.
There are reported to be approximately 15,000 youngAmerican men who have been accorded "landed immi-grant" status in Canada. We do not list these persons asrefugees because we believe the reason for their migrationis not recognized in any definition of refugee status ofwhich we are aware.
The statistical review of refugees in all parts of the worldtakes no account of several groups of people whose plightand need is as grievous as the plight of the refugees enu-merated. The private voluntary agencies in the United Statesand around the world, as well as governmental and inter-governmental organizations, are engaged in meeting humanneed arising from whatever cause. In addition to the refu-gees listed in the report, relief services are extended to thefollowing groups:
The current and most useful definition of refugees in-cludes persons who are out of their "usual place of abode" ;and cannot or will not return thereto. The victim of anearthquake, flood or other natural disaster is, therefore,just as much a refugee as is the person who has fled fromhis homeland because of military operations or persecution.
Refugees from natural disasters are not included in thestatistical tabulation. One reason for this is that their dis-possession from their homes is less permanent, and theyhave not lost their citizenship. Nevertheless, their need foremergency relief services is urgent, and the same agenciesconcerned with the long range problem of resettling politi-cal refugees are deeply involved in meeting the needs ofrefugees from natural disasters.
In 1970, the Disaster Relief Division of the Agency forInternational Development (U. S. State Dept.) and theprivate agencies were involved in fifty-one major disasters-earthquakes, floods, droughts. There were a total of72,915 persons killed in these disasters and 11,743,000,victims needing emergency relief. The earthquake in Perualone killed 66,794 and left 3,139,703 homeless or other-wise in need of emergency help. These figures do not in-clude the East Pakistan typhoon which left over 300,000dead and 3,300,000 victims homeless and in need.
Smiles in the rubble-two of 3,139,703 homeless in Peru.
r'w1
CWS
Searching the Ruins, Peru earthquake.CWS
RETURNEES
There is an increasing number of persons who are beingdeported to the countries of their ethnic origin. Indians whohave lived in Burma-some for several generations-orhave lived in Ceylon or the countries in East Africa, arebeing returned to India. Often their properties are con-fiscated before their deportation and they arrive in greatneed. The question of their citizenship is not involved, buttheir relocation and integration is a difficult and painfulprocess in view of their economic hardship.
India, which has probably the most complicated refugeeproblem in the world, does what it can to be helpful tothese returnees, but India is a poor country which hasopened its hand and heart to many thousands of refugeesfrom Tibet and East Pakistan in spite of the poverty of itsown people. We believe that the number of persons in thisreturn migration for India alone is probably close to one-half million.
In Africa a similar problem exists. It is reported thatmany thousands have been expelled in recent months fromUganda into Kenya. They are persons who may have livedfor generations in Uganda and now come into Kenya asforced repatriates. The Ugandan nation has been very gen-erous and accommodating to many thousands of refugees.The country has ample unsettled land and has welcomedrefugees for rural resettlement. For example, there arealmost 70,000 Rwandese of the Watusi Tribe, who fledfrom tribal wars in their own nation some years ago.Uganda has also welcomed Sudanese refugees into ruralresettlement projects. They are an agricultural people andhave become quickly self-sufficient. But the persons ofKenyan descent now being forced out of Uganda are com-petitors in the struggle for urban employment. Ugandahas a population of 8,000,000 and an urban work force
of only 300,000, so that competition for jobs is severe.Before the anti-foreigner campaign began last fall, Ken-
yans held approximately ten percent of the available jobsin industry and construction-jobs which are envied bythe thousands of unemployed Ugandians.
Other nations in Africa because of economic necessity, orperhaps more important, because of a new feeling of na-tional consciousness, have been expelling non-nationals.Ghana has been making forceful efforts to expel 1,500,000black foreigners living in that country. According to re-ports, hundreds of thousands have already been forced todepart to homelands in Nigeria, Dahomey, Ivory Coast andelsewhere. The Government of Ghana justifies this policyby pointing out that one in every four Ghanian is out ofwork.
Mr. Ray Vicker, staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal,who has surveyed this problem in Africa, has recently de-scribed the plight of these deportees in poignant terms.Their need, for the most part, is surely as serious as thatof many political refugees.
All over the world there is movement of rural populationto the cities. They are attracted by the hope of economicimprovement and opportunity for a better life. Other rea-sons for their migration often run very deep. The lure ofthe city is, perhaps, both cause and effect of the breakdownof the family system in many countries. In any event, inLatin America, Africa and Asia the great cities have beenflooded by people for whom, in many cases, there was noemployment, and the extent of great and terrible povertyand need is a common fact of modern life. No one can reck-on the number of millions of persons and the human wasteinvolved in this migration, but these people-men, womenand children-have become in many countries a problemof gigantic proportions.
The World Refugee Report last year included one mil-lion persons who had moved from Chile, Bolivia and Para-guay to the outskirts of Buenos Aires in Argentina. Wecalled them refugees because they had no proper docu-ments, had moved across international borders and were,and are, needing most of the services normally thoughtappropriate and necessary for refugees. Because the prob-lem 6f urban migration is so common all over the world,and because of the impossibility of estimating its size andseriousness, we no longer note it in our statistics, but westress that the millions of persons involved in this move-ment are a part of the immense burden of need to whichthe voluntary agencies and governments are addressingthemselves.
Emergency food supplies flown to typhoon victims, East Pakistan.
This survey is, at most, a fragment of the story of over17,587,405 refugees. They are on every continent and inmore than 80 countries. We need to remember that theybecame refugees one by one. Statistics are a useful if some-times misleading convenience-and we must not let ourstatistics blind us. A refugee is a homeless, hopeless andhungry person.
Whether man, woman or child, the refugee is the tragicresult of the violent pace and ferment that characterizes ourtime. Wherever the refugee is-whether Africa, Europe,Asia, Latin America, or in our own country-he, by hisrootlessness and need personifies modern man's inability tocope with his personal life, his religion, his ambitions andhis hungers, with due concern for his fellow man.
Each refugee group, while it bears some similarities toother groups, is unique. The reasons for their flight differin each case; the circumstances of their asylum differ ineach case; the opportunity for and/or rate of resettlementand integration differ in each case. Moreover, while thehuman situation for the refugee is always grievous, thepolitical significance of the refugees' predicament variesin importance according to a host of circumstances.
Taking into account the many varied legal, political, eco-nomic and religious considerations which bear upon hisstatus as a refugee, we think the most comprehensive andprecise definition is that formulated by the Committee onMigration and Refugee Problems of the American Councilof Voluntary Agencies for Foreign Service:
"A refugee is a person who-"(a) on account of persecution or fear of persecution
because of race, religion, nationality, or member-ship of a particular social group or political opin-ion or belief, or as a result of military operationsor natural calamity, is outside of his usual placeof abode; and
"(b) cannot return thereto or will not return theretobecause of such persecution or fear of persecutionor military operations or natural calamity;
"(c) provided, however, that a national who is out ofhis usual place of abode and has found refuge inthe country of which he was technically a nationaland cannot or will not return to his usual placeof abode for fear of persecution, on account ofrace, religion, nationality, membership of a par-ticular social group or political opinion or belief,or as a result of military operations or naturalcalamity, shall not be precluded from considera-tion as a refugee.
"(d) notwithstanding any other provisions of law."
CWS
/ P ~v '(~
Our statistical review of refugee problems in the coun-tries of Indochina give ample evidence of the deep seatedand far-ranging disruption of civilian life in these countries.No facet of human life is untouched. The whole fabric ofsociety-economic, religious, educational-has been crip-pled by the awful to-and-fro of the incessant fighting.
Now we judge, in the Spring of 1971, that it is not fool-ish to hope that the fighting will end. We cannot reallyassess the meaning of the phrases "winding down," "gettingout" and so on, but the avowed purpose of the UnitedStates and of its President cannot be gainsaid.
So we foresee the day when the immense task of re-construction can be begun, and on that day we believe thatmillions of Americans will raise their prayers of thanks-giving for the end of this venture and the beginning of anew and more peaceful life for the people of Indochina.Because it is our way, we will seek immediately ways inwhich we can help in the huge and long task of recon-struction.
When that moment arrives, we should remember that allduring the war a great and untold story was being writtenby the representatives of more than thirty American chari-table organizations working in Vietnam. Through it all,they did their work "under the gun" so to speak. It is heroicwork, unsung.
We should remember these organizations in the day ofpeace because they will still be there doing our job andrepresenting the humane spirit of the American public.
We will not have to create new organizations and findnew personnel to minister to the needs of the people inIndochina. We already have them and they will, then as now,be seeking our support, our money, for the much largertask which they will then be able to undertake.
With this in mind, we are publishing a directory of theagencies representing the interest of American private citi-zens which are now at work in Vietnam. They have beenthere working for us through the days and years of blood-shed, and they will be there working with and for us,and in our names, in the days of peace.
Agricultural Cooperative Development International1430 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005
Program initiated May 1967Farm Organization Development
AMA Vietnam Medical School ProjectAmerican Medical Association535 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610
Program initiated July 1966Medical Education
AMA Volunteer Physicians for VietnamAmerican Medical Association535 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610
Program initiated June 1965Medicine and Public Health
American Dental Association211 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611
Program initiated March 1967Dental Education
* fAmerican Friends Service Committee, Inc.160 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19102
Program initiated June 1966Child Welfare, Medical Rehabilitation, Social Welfare
American National Red Cross18th and D Streets, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006
Program initiated July 1966Social Welfare
Asia Foundation, TheP.O. Box 3223, San Francisco, California 94119
Resident program initiated 1956Education, Law, Public Administration, Social Welfare
Asian-American Free Labor Institute, Inc.1775 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006
Program initiated February 1968Cooperatives, Material Aid & Relief, VocationalTraining, Union Leadership
* ICARE-Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere,
Inc.660 First Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016
Program initiated 1954Construction, Cooperatives, Credit Unions & Loans,Education, Equipment & Material Aid, Medicine &Public Health, Population & Family Planning
* ICatholic Relief Services-U.S. Catholic Conference, Inc.
350 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10001Program initiated 1954Communications, Education, Material Aid, Medicine,Social Welfare
Children's Medical Relief International, Inc.228 E. 48th Street, New York, N.Y. 10017
Program initiated 1967Medicine & Public Health
Christian and Missionary Alliance260 W. 44th Street, New York, N.Y. 10036
First Mission established in 1911Child Welfare, Cooperatives, Education, MaterialAid, Medicine & Public Health
*Christian Children's Fund, Inc.
203 E. Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23204Program initiated 1953Social Welfare
Committee of Responsibility, Inc.1621 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009
Program initiated October 1967Child Medical Care
* fCommunity Development Foundation, Inc.
Boston Post Road, Norwalk, Conn. 06852Program initiated November 1966Social Welfare
Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and CharitiesOak Lane & Brandt Boulevard, Salunga, Pa. 17538
Program initiated 1957Social Welfare
*Foster Parents Plan, Inc.
352 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10010Program initiated 1957Child Welfare/Social Welfare, Medical Aid
*International Educational Development, Inc. United World Mission-United Welfare & Relief
924 West End Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10025 ServicesProgram initiated 1969 P.O. Box 8000, St. Petersburg, Florida 33738Communications Program initiated 1934
* jInternational Rescue Committee, Inc. Child Welfare, Education, Medicine & Public Health
386 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016 Vietnam Assistance Program, Dept. of Health Affairs,Program initiated 1965 U.S.C.C.Child Care, Community Development, Food for 1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.Peace, Medical Services 20005
International Voluntary Services, Inc. Program initiated June 19681555 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20038 Medical Services
Program initiated 1957 Vietnam Christian Service (Administered by ChurchAgriculture, Education World Service)
f Project Concern, Inc. 475 Riverside Drive, New York, N.Y. 10027440 West B Street, P.O. Box 2468, San Diego, Program initiated 1954Calif. 92112 Child & Social Welfare, Community Development,
Program initiated 1964 Equipment & Material Aid, Housing, Medicine &Medicine & Public Health Public Health
* Salvation Army, The World Rehabilitation Fund, Inc.120-130 W. 14th Street, New York, N.Y. 10011 400 E. 14th Street, New York, N.Y. 10016
Program initiated 1968 Program initiated 1965Education, Material Aid, Medicine & Public Health, Medicine & Public HealthSocial Welfare * IWorld Relief Commission, Inc.
f Save the Children Federation, Inc. P.O. Box 44, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 19481Boston Post Road, Norwalk, Connecticut 06852 Program initiated 1961
Program initiated July 1966 Education, Material Aid, Public Health,Family Welfare-Community Development, Medicine Social Welfare& Public Health
*' Seventh-Day Adventist Welfare Service, Inc. *World Vision Relief Organization, Inc.6840 Eastern Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20012 919 West Huntington Drive, Monrovia, Calif. 91016
Program initiated 1955 (Mission established 1937) Program initiated 1965
Education, Medicine & Public Health, Social Welfare Child Welfare, Education, Medical Aid,*Summer Institute of Linguistics, Inc.
P.O. Box 1960, Santa Ana, California 92702 *The agency's program in Vietnam has been registeredProgram initiated 1957 with the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid.Research/Education, Medicine & Public Health
* Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Inc. fMember of the American Council of Voluntary Agencies78 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. 02108 for Foreign Service, Inc.
Program initiated December 1968Social Work Education A more detailed description of the programs, budget and
f United Seamen's Service personnel of these organizations is available by writing to17 Battery Place, New York, N.Y. 10004 the United States Committee for Refugees or the American
Program initiated 1966 Council of Voluntary Agencies for Foreign Service, Inc.,Education, Social Welfare 200 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10003.
The Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid lists 82voluntary agencies registered to send food, clothing, med-ical supplies and other products around the world. Of theseagencies, 72 reported income estimated at over $557 mil-lion in cash and gifts in kind for 1970, about the same asfor 1969.
Nearly $467.7 million of this was distributed in approx-imately 129 countries. Most of this aid-over 56 percent-went to the Near East and South Asia.
Five voluntary agencies receiving the largest contribu-tions of cash and gift in kind during 1970 distributed 71percent of the supplies and equipment sent overseas:United Israel Appeal, $129 million, up from $107 million;Catholic Relief Services-USCC, $125 million, down from$133 million; CARE, $90 million, down from $107 million;Church World Service, $32 million, down from $37 mil-lion; and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee,$24 million.
3,500,000 people in 335 camps... plus choleraAs this issue of the World Refugee Report goes to press,
revised figures as to the number of East Pakistan refugeesin India come to hand. There are now reported to be a totalof 3.5 million. The most perilous concentration appears tobe in the Tripura area due east of Dacca on the frontier.It is estimated that there are 500,000 there facing seriousshortages of food, shelter and medical supplies.
In response to an Indian request to the United Nations,the American Government has organized an airlift to helpmove 50,000 persons from this overcrowded area to campsin Assam in the extreme northeast corner of India.
The Government has established 335 refugee camps, andin a coordinated effort United Nations agencies, togetherwith American and other voluntary organizations, are ar-ranging emergency food distribution, housing and medicalservices. An indication of the staggering size of this problemis the reported continued daily flow into India from Paki-stan of 60,000 persons.
India has appealed to the international community forassistance, and it is reported that the United States, GreatBritain, Germany and the Netherlands have made initialcontributions totaling 7 million dollars. It is estimated thatjust keeping the current total of refugees alive for threemonths, disregarding added numbers, may cost nearly40 million dollars.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner forRefugees is the coordinating point for the world-wideappeal made on May 19 by Secretary-General U Thant.Representatives of the High Commissioner's office havereturned from a six day survey of West Bengal and Assamwhere they visited the camps, hospitals, schools and otherpublic places where the refugees are temporarily accom-modated.
The Mission reports that food is supplied to those underthe direct care of the authorities, either in the form ofcooked meals or of dry rations distributed periodically.Others are being temporarily lodged and fed by friends andrelatives among the local population, but it is presumedthat many of these may soon have to turn to public relief.Foodstuffs have been procured from buffer stocks whichwill need to be replenished.
Sc tr
Exodus from the forbidden city of Dacca, East Pakistan.Wide World
Pakistan refugees rest in temporary camps at Benapol, India.Wide World
However, a most urgent problem is arising in respect oftransportation of food and other supplies to remote areas,especially in view of the imminence of the monsoon season.Weather conditions also make it imperative that shelterfacilities be provided for all those who have none, and forthose who will have to vacate the schools and public build-ings where they are accommodated at present.
News reports in early June brought word of furthertragedy-Cholera had broken out in epidemic proportions.On June 2, it was reported that more than 1,000 refugeeshad died in the last six days in the Nadia District of WestBengal state. Reports of further deaths, according to offi-cials, were still coming in.
If YOU want to help-American voluntary agenciesworking with refugees in East Pakistan and inIndia are:
CARE660 First Avenue, New York, N. Y. 10016
Catholic Relief Services, U. S. Catholic Conference350 Fifth Avenue, New York, N. Y. 10001
Church World Service475 Riverside Drive, New York, N. Y. 10027
Lutheran World Relief, Inc.315 Park Avenue South, New York, N. Y. 10010
Funds are urgently needed. Contributions to these V
organizations are tax deductible.
i
77 Agencies Are Joined ina Cooperative Effort Ex-tending a Helping Hand
Around the World.
AGENCIES WORKING WITH REFUGEESall have distinctive forms of service. TheVoluntary Agencies are at work in 119 coun-tries and on every continent, often in activepartnership with Governmental and Intergov-ernmental bodies. All agencies invite thereader's further inquiry.
I. INTERGOVERNMENTALAGENCIES
Office of the United Nations HighCommissioner for Refugees
United Nations PlazaNew York, N. Y. 10017(212) 754-1234
United Nations Relief and WorksAgency for Palestine Refugees
United Nations PlazaNew York, N. Y. 10017(212) 754-1234
Intergovernmental Committee forEuropean Migration
370 Lexington AvenueNew York, N. Y. 10017(212) 689-8930
II. U. S. GOVERNMENT
Department of Health, Educationand Welfare
Welfare AdministrationWashington, D.C. 20201(202) 963-1110
Department of StateOffice of Refugee and Migration AffairsWashington, D.C. 20520(202) 737-5600
Department of StateAgency for International DevelopmentVoluntary Foreign Aid ServiceWashington, D.C. 20503(202) 737-5600
III. VOLUNTARY AGENCIES
American Baptist ConventionValley Forge, Pennsylvania 19481Matthew R. Giuffrida,Refugee Resettlement Officer(215) 768-2000
American Council for Emigres inthe Professions, Inc.
345 East 46th StreetNew York, N. Y. 10017Mrs. Lenore Parker,Executive Director(212) 687-0520
American Council for JudaismPhilanthropic Fund
386 Park Avenue SouthNew York, N.Y. 10016Mrs. Anna Walling Matson,Executive Director(212) 684-1525
American Council for NationalitiesService
20 West 40th StreetNew Yotk, N.Y. 10018Harry W. Morgan,Executive Director(212) 279-2715
American Council of VoluntaryAgencies for Foreign Service, Inc.
200 Park Avenue SouthNew York, N. Y. 10003(212) 777-8210
American Federation of Labor andCongress of Industrial Organizations
815 16th Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20006George Meany,President(202) 628-3870
American Foundation forOverseas Blind, Inc.
22 West 17th StreetNew York, N.Y. 10011Robert M. Barnett,Executive Director(212) 924-0420
American Friends of the MiddleEast, Inc.
1717 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20036Orin D. Parker,Executive Vice President(202) 234-7500
American Friends Service Committee112 South 16th StreetPhiladelphia, Pa. 19102Roger G. Fredrickson,Director-Overseas Refugee Program(215) 563-9372
American Fund for CzechoslovakRefugees, Inc.
1790 BroadwayNew York, N. Y. 10019Dr. Jan Papenek,President(212) 265-1919
American Immigration & CitizenshipConference
509 Madison AvenueNew York, N.Y. 10022Mrs. Ruth Murphy,Executive Vice President(212) 688-0084
American Jewish Joint DistributionCommittee
60 East 42nd StreetNew York, N. Y. 10017Samuel L. Haber,Executive Vice-Chairman(212) 687-6200
American Korean Foundation, Inc.345 East 46th StreetNew York, N.Y. 10017Miss Dorothy L. Irvine,Executive Director(212) 697-1960
AMA Volunteer Physiciansfor Vietnam -American Medical Association
535 North Dearborn StreetChicago, Illinois 60610Dr. Charles Moseley,Director(312) 527-1500
American Middle EastRehabilitation, Inc.
777 United Nations PlazaNew York, N. Y. 10017Mary Ann Kolidas,Director(212) 661-0178
American National Red Cross17th and D Streets, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20006Meyer Mathis,Director(202) 737-8300
American Near East Refugee Aid, Inc.900 Woodward Building733 15th Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20005John P. Richardson,Executive Director(202) 347-2558
American ORT Federation222 Park Avenue SouthNew York, N. Y. 10003Paul Bernick,Executive Director(212) 677-4400
Baptist World Alliance1628 16th Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20009Dr. Robert S. Denny,Acting General Secretary(202) 265-5027
Catholic Relief Services -
United States Catholic Conference350 Fifth AvenueNew York, N.Y. 10001Most Rev. Edward E. Swanstrom,Executive Director(212) 594-9300
Christian Children's Fund, Inc.Richmond, Virginia 23204Dr. Verent J. Mills,Executive Director(703) 644-4654
Church World Service475 Riverside DriveNew York, N. Y. 10027James MacCracken,Executive Director(212) 870-2257
John Schauer,DirectorImmigration & Refugee Program(212) 870-2078
Committee on Resettlement Services475 Riverside DriveRoom 1062New York, N. Y. 10027Mrs. Margaret G. Shackford,Executive Secretary(212) 870-2104
Community Development Foundation49 Boston Post RoadNorwalk, Conn. 06852Glenn Leet,Executive Director(203) 847-4524
Cooperative for American ReliefEverywhere, Inc. (CARE)
660 First AvenueNew York, N.Y. 10016Frank Goffio,Executive Director(212) 686-3110
Direct Relief Foundation27 East Canon Perdido StreetSanta Barbara, Calif, 93101Dennis G. Karzag,Executive Secretary(805) 966-9149
The Thomas A. Dooley Foundation422 Post StreetSan Francisco, Calif. 94102Verne Chaney, M.D.,President(415) 397-0244
Foreign Service Committee,General Council, Assemblies of God
1445 Boonville AvenueSpringfield, Mo. 65802J. Philip Hogan,Executive Director(417) 862-2781
Foster Parents' Plan, Inc.352 Park Avenue SouthNew York, N.Y. 10010Gloria C. Matthews,Executive Director(212) 685-0700
Hadassah65 East 52nd StreetNew York, N.Y. 10022Miss Hannah L. Goldberg,Executive Director(212) 355-7900
Heifer Project, Inc.45 Ashby RoadP.O. Box 278Upper Darby, Pa. 19084Dale Barnard,Director of Operations(215) 352-6750
Industrial Union Dept. AFL-CIO815 16th Street, N.W:Washington, D.C. 20006Jacob Clayman,Administrative Director(202) 628-3870
International Rescue Committee386 Park Avenue SouthNew York, N. Y. 10016Charles Sternberg,Executive Director(212) 679-0010
International Social ServiceAmerican Branch, Inc.
345 East 46th StreetNew York, N.Y. 10017Wells Klein,General Director(212) 687-2747
International Voluntary Services, Inc.1555 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20036Richard Peters,Executive Director(202) 387-5533
luliu Maniu American RomanianRelief Foundation, Inc.
55 West 42nd StreetNew York, N. Y. 10036Mrs. Veturia Manuila,Executive Secretary(212) 244-8266
Lutheran Immigration & RefugeeServices
315 Park Avenue SouthNew York, N.Y. 10010Donald E. Anderson,Secretary(212) 677-3950
Lutheran World Relief, Inc.315 Park Avenue SouthNew York, N. Y. 10010Bernard A. Confer,Executive Secretary(212) 677-3950
Meals for Millions Foundation1800 Olympic BoulevardSanta Monica, Calif. 90406Neal J. O'Donnell,Acting Executive Director(213) 451-0777
Mennonite Central Committee21 South 12th StreetAkron, Pennsylvania 17501William T. Snyder,Executive Secretary(717) 859-1151
Migration and Refugee ServicesUnited States Catholic Conference
1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20005John McCarthy,Director(202) 659-6625
National Council of Catholic Women1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20005Margaret Mealey,Executive Director(202) 659-6810
National Council of Jewish Women1 West 47th StreetNew York, N.Y. 10019Mrs. Leonard H. Weiner,National President(212) 246-3175
Nationalities Service Center ofPhiladelphia
1300 Spruce StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19050Mrs. Melba Hyde,Executive Director(212) 545-6800
New York Association far NewAmericans, Inc.
15 Park RowNew York, N. Y. 10038Philip Soskis,Executive Director(212) 964-0800
Polish American Immigration &Relief Committee, Inc.
17 Irving PlaceNew York, N. Y. 10003Hilronim Wyszynski,Executive Director(212) 254-2240
Project Concern, Inc.440 West "B" StreetSan Diego, Calif. 92112James A. Skidmore, Jr.,President(714) 235-6411
Project Hope2233 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20007William B. Walsh, M.D.,President & Medical Director(202) 338-6110
Refugee Immigration ServiceHome Mission Board/SBC
1350 Spring Street, N.W.Atlanta, Georgia 30309Dr. L. D. Wood(404) 873-4041
Salvation Army, The120 West 14th StreetNew York, N. Y. 10011Commissioner Edward Carey,National Commander(212) 243-8700
Save the Children Federation, Inc.Boston Post RoadNorwalk, Connecticut 06852Melvin Frarey,Program Director(203) 847-4524
Seventh-Day Adventists WelfareService, Inc.
6840 Eastern Avenue, N.W.Takoma ParkWashington, D.C. 20012Rev. Theodore Carcich,President(202) 723-0800
Spanish Refugee Aid, Inc.80 East 11 th StreetNew York, N. Y. 10003Mrs. Nancy Macdonald,Executive Sec reta ry(212) 674-7451
The Office of Tibet801 Second AvenueNew York, N. Y. 10017Phintso Thonden,Permanent Representative ofHis Holiness, the Dalai Lama(21 2) 686-7294
The Tibet Society, Inc.Goodbody Hall 101Indiana UniversityBloomington, Indiana 47401Thubten Jigme Norbu,Executive Director(812) 337-4339
Tolstoy Foundation, Inc.250 West 57th StreetNew York, N.Y. 10019Miss Alexandra Tolstoy,President(212) 247-2922
Unitarian Universalist ServiceCommittee, Inc.
78 Beacon StreetBoston, Massachusetts 02108Harold J. Beicek,Executive Director(617) 742-2100
United Church Board for WorldMinistries - United Church of Christ
475 Riverside DriveNew York, N. Y. 10027Rev. B. Kenneth Anthony,General Secretary, Division of
World Services(212) 870-2704
United Hias Service, Inc.200 Park Avenue SouthNew York, N. Y. 10003Gaynor I. Jacobson,Executive Vice President(212) 674-6800
United Lithuanian Relief Fundof America, Inc.
105 Grand StreetBrooklyn, N. Y. 11211Rev. Francis Geisciunas,Executive Director(212) 387-1422
United Methodist Committee forOverseas Relief
475 Riverside DriveNew York, N. Y. 10027Dr. James Thomas,Secretary for Specialized Ministries(212) 749-0700
United States Committee for Refugees20 West 40th StreetNew York, N.Y. 10018R. Norris Wilson,Executive Vice President(212) 564-3272
United Ukrainian American ReliefCommittee, Inc.
5020 Old York RoadPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19141Dr. Walter Gallon,President(215) 455-3774
Volunteers for InternationalTechnical Assistance, Inc. (VITA)
College CampusSchenectady, N. Y. 12308Lloyd J. Hughlett,President(518) 374-3581
World Ministries CommissionChurch of the Brethren General Offices
1451 Dundee AvenueElgin, Illinois 60120H. Lamar Gibble,Peace & International Affairs Consultant(312) 742-5100
World Rehabilitation Fund, Inc., The400 East 34th StreetNew York, N. Y. 10016Howard A. Rusk, M.D.,President(212) 679-3200
World Relief Commission, Inc. -
N.A.E.P.O. Box 44Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 19481Everett S. Graffam,Executive Vice President(215) 265-4479
World University Service20 West 40th StreetNew York, N.Y. 10018Leon 0. Marion,Executive Secretary(212) 563-1736
World Vision International919 West HuntingtonMonrovia, Calif. 91016Dr. W. Stanley Mooneyham,President(213) 357-1111
Young Men's Christian Association'sInternational Committee of theUnited States and Canada
291 BroadwayNew York, N. Y. 10007James F. Bunting,Executive Director(212) 349-0700
Young Women's Christian Association600 Lexington AvenueNew York, N. Y. 10022Edith M. Lerrigo,Executive Director(212) 753-4700
Wide World
The United States Committee for Refugees issues thisannual compilation of information about the numbers andwhereabouts of refugees around the world because wefeel strongly that this world-wide problem-so easily for-gotten-should be kept in view.
We try to be as accurate and comprehensive as we can,but we know that in a very real sense the problem is im-measurable.
It is immeasurable because only those who suffer itreally know it. So our statistical analysis is mainly sym-bolic. It has the merit of indicating something of the sizeand complexity of the world's refugee problems, and thatwe think is important as one symptom of the malaise ofour time.
No refugee wants to be a refugee. Every refugee every-where became a refugee as the end, and perhaps, theunforeseen result of political decisions or indecision. Hisdecision to leave his home and seek asylum, with all thepain and courage which that involves for himself and hisfamily-his decision was his response to something thathappened, something that was decided outside himselfwhich frightened or repelled him irrevocably. He may bein flight from a fire bombing of his village in Vietnam orCambodia or Laos or the Sudan, and is running in mortalfear of his very life. His decision may be more measuredbecause of a prolonged harassment of his spirit, as inEastern Europe or China or Haiti. In either case, he hasbeen violated as a person and has the right to asylum andto any help he can get.
Tragically, he cannot assert this right for himself in anypersuasive way. Refugees do not vote, except with theirfeet. Also tragically, we who try to assert his right for himare painfully aware that we are involved in the decisionor indecision which caused his flight. The Indochina ref-ugee and war victim is the most obvious case in point. ThePalestinians, the Haitians, the Tibetans, the Hungariansand Sudanese if less obviously, are also victims of deci-
i sion and indecision in which responsibility-perhaps re-mote but nonetheless real-belongs to us all.
It is our world-troubled and wounded as it is. Godput us here, all of us, to enjoy and to mend and heal itas need be. We don't need to "establish" guilt-it is there,but guilt is not the point.
The point is that beneath the statistics and argumentsabout cause and effect there are people-children and menand women who eat and breathe and pray and hope likeus, and their right to our help in their circumstances canonly be denied, if we deny the God who gave us life andembrothered them to us.
What can we do about it? What power have we? Giventhe size and complexity of such a problem, given the end-less shuffling ambiguities of time and distance and purposewhat can we do?
The first, and perhaps most important consideration, isa negative one. We must not be discouraged or intim-idated by the size of the problem. Many refugee problemshave been, and are being solved.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissionerfor Refugees observes its 20th Anniversary this year. Since1951, with increasing effectiveness and international sup-port, this office has offered protection to, and facilitated theresettlement of many thousands of refugees in Europe,Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Last year, 1970, American religious and non-sectarianagencies were at work in nearly one hundred countriesin co-operation with government and intergovernmentalgroups, meeting the needs of refugees and others.
Their programs involved contributions in cash and kindof over half a billion dollars, and the devoted face-to-faceand hand-to-hand service of many thousands of workers.It is a great story of generous, loving, if unspectacular,service to people in need.
We are all a part of that story and gratefully so, becausewe have learned that we can help-that we do help-withour sympathy, our prayers and our contributions. We needonly be reminded that it is a continuing story-and that wemust continue to share in it as faithfully and generouslyas we can.
Litho in U.S.A.