- Title: EASTERN NIGERIA: FOOD DISTRIBUTED TO STARVING BIAFRANS
- Date: 30th September 1968
- Summary: UNICEF SIGN ON SHIP; COD UNLOADED AND STACKED IN WAREHOUSE; LORRY MOVES OFF WITH FOOD; MEN WITH BICYCLES CARRY FOOD; NURSE FILLS BOWL OF FOOD; CHILDREN LICK PLATES. Initials LH/V/BHH/SS Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 14th October 1968 13:00
- Keywords:
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- Location: EASTERN NIGERIA
- Country: Nigeria
- Reuters ID: LVA3P68XNFUUEX293ANA08K63VVJ
- Story Text:WITH THOUSANDS OF BIAFRANS STILL DYING FROM STARVATION AND MALNUTRITION IN THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR, THE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD REMAINS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE. BUT THE TASK OF ORGANISATIONS LIKE THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL CHILDRENS' EMERGENCY FUND IS BEING MADE HARDER BY THE NUMBER OF BIAFRANS FORCED TO FLEE BEFORE THE ADVANCING FEDERAL TROOPS.
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE EASTERN BREAKAWAY STATE IN FLIGHT FROM THE ADVANCING FEDERAL TROOPS ARE GATHERING IN SMALL AREAS. THE SUBSEQUENT OVERCROWDING HAS CAUSED MANY REFUGEES TO SUFFER FROM TUBERCULOSIS AND OTHER DISEASES.
UNICEF HAS IMPORTED MANY TONS OF PROTEIN FOOD TO AID STARVING CHILDREN AT THE MORNING STAR SCHOOL, ONE OF MANY AREAS HOUSING THOUSANDS OF YOUNG WAR VICTIMS. LACK OF TRANSPORT HAS HINDRED THE SUPPLY OF FOOD TO VILLAGES IN THE SURROUNDING AREA. THE FOOD IS TAKEN INTO THE BUSH BY BICYCLE AND IT SOMETIMES COVERS UP TO 15 MILES TO REACH STARVING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
IN THE BIAFRAN TOWN OF OLU, BOMBED HEAVILY IN THE PAST WEEK, MORE CHILDREN SUFFER FROM MALNUTRITION. OFFICIALS SAY THAT MOTHERS HAVE TO BE KEPT AWAY FROM THEIR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY FEAR THEY MAY TRY TO EAT THE FOOD THEMSELVES.
THE OLU MARKET HAS BEEN BADLY DAMAGED BY BOMBS BUT IT STILL MANAGES TO FUNCTION WITH WHAT FOODSTUFFS CAN BE OBTAINED.
MEANWHILE, LORD SHEPHERD, BRITISH MINISTER OF STATE FOR THE COMMONWEALTH, IN NIGERIA FOR TALKS WITH THE FEDERAL MILIARY RULER, MAJOR-GENERAL GOWON, SAYS HE'S CONFIDENT THAT NIGERIA IS STILL ANXIOUS FOR A SETTLEMENT TO THE CIVIL WAR.
BUT THE BIAFRAN LEADER, COLONEL ODUKWU HAS SAID THAT BIAFRA'S "IMPROVED MILITARY SITUATION", DESPITE RECENT SETBACKS, RULED OUT ANY CONSIDERATION OF SURRENDER. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS - SOURCE TO BE VERIFIED
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