- Title: RELIEF SUPPLIES AIR-LIFTED TO LAGOS FOR WAR-TORN AREAS OF NIGERIA
- Date: 24th January 1970
- Summary: AIRCRAFT TAXIING; CARGO OF AMBULANCES; RED CROSS WORKERS; TRUCKS AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES UNLOADED; NIGERIAN SOLDIER LOOKS ON. Initials AH/V/CT/PC Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 8th February 1970 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LAGOS, NIGERIA,
- Country: Nigeria
- Reuters ID: LVAC21G2R7CPDJOSD0L9JACZTJBC
- Story Text: THE INTERNATIONAL AIR-LIFT TO SPEED RELIEF SUPPLIES TO THE WAR-RAVAGED REGIONS IN EASTERN NIGERIAN IS GATHERING MOMENTUM. AS CARGOES OF FOOD AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES WERE FLOWN INTO LAGOS AIRPORT YESTERDAY (FRIDAY), THE AIRPORT WAS BEING GEARED TO HANDLE UP TO 25 RELIEF FLIGHTS A DAY.
TO OPERATE A SHUTTLE SERVICE BETWEEN LAGOS AND THE EASTERN REGION, THE FEDERAL NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT YESTERDAY PLACED TWO AIRCRAFT AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE RED CROSS. THE AIRCRAFT WILL FERRY FOOD, DRUGS, CLOTHING AND RELIEF WORKERS TO THE FORMER SECESSIONIST TERRITORY.
SUPPLIES ARRIVING IN LAGOS INCLUDED RELIEF SHIPMENTS FROM THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND BRITAIN.
THE FIRST OF THREE MOBILE HOSPITALS WHICH NIGERIA HAS REQUESTED FROM THE UNITED STATES WAS FLOWN IN FROM BOSTON. CHARTER FLIGHTS FROM BRITAIN BROUGHT IN HEAVY TRUCKS AND SEVERAL TONS OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES.
IN ADDITION, THE UNITED STATES HAS IMMEDIATE PLANS TO AIRLIFT A HUNDRED JEEPS AND TRUCKS TO NIGERIA, AND HAS ALSO AGREED TO PROVIDE 40,000 TONS OF FOOD A MONTH FOR AS LONG AS IT IS REQUIRED.
LATEST FIGURES LIST MORE THAN 600,000 DISPLACED PERSONS IN RED CROSS CAMPS IN THE FORMER SECESSIONIST TERRITORY - A 20 PER CENT INCREASE SINCE FIGHTING CEASED 12 DAYS AGO. THE RED CROSS PLANS TO SET UP ANOTHER FOUR RELIEF CENTRES IN THE AREA IN ADDITION TO THE 15 ALREADY OPERATING.
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