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Church Acts to Aid Victims of Nigerian Conflict

Diocesan Press Service. August 1, 1968 [67-3]

NEW YORK, N. Y. -- In response to the new $3,000,000 appeal for victims of the Nigerian conflict launched July 15 by the Fourth Assembly of the World Council of Churches meeting at Uppsala, Sweden, an immediate contribution of $10,000 from the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief was authorized by the Episcopal Church.

This action followed two previous grants of $5,000 each from the Fund for relief in the war stricken area.

The preamble to the resolution which established the appeal affirmed that the churches' relief activities were planned "not only to alleviate dire famine and starvation but to insure that the suffering of ordinary people is not used for political advantage to either side. "

The people concerned are mostly members of the Ibo tribe who are the most active supporters of the secession movement in Nigeria known as "Biafra." The Ibo tribal area is now entirely besieged and blockaded.

This $3,000,000 will expand and intensify the World Council of Churches relief operations beyond those possible under the goal of $3,800,000 in cash and goods already contributed.

The Presiding Bishop, the Rt. Rev. John E. Hines, is chairman of the Council's Division of Inter-Church Aid, Refugee and World Service. In cooperation with the Roman Catholic relief agency, Caritas, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Division is making new efforts to mount a continuous airlift of supplies to distribution centers in needy areas as an immediate first step.

It is anticipated that the Episcopal Church's share of the new appeal will be $100,000. Contributions may be sent to the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017.