Church World Service Responds to Natural Disaster in Pakistan
Diocesan Press Service. November 30, 1970 [91-13]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- "Church World Service backs a maximum response from the government and citizens of the U.S. to the limitless suffering of millions who survived the cyclone and tidal wave in East Pakistan, " James MacCracken, executive director of CWS, said recently. "Church World Service is making every effort to strengthen the hands of the churches in East Pakistan so they may make their special contribution to relief and rehabilitation in this tragic situation. The churches in East Pakistan are, however, very small bodies and care must be taken not to place them in the intolerable position of administering greater resources than they can responsibly handle."
According to Mr. MacCracken, the virtual inaccessibility of the locations where there are survivors rules out many relief efforts; the long cyclone-and-flood-prone history of the area makes rehabilitation efforts there questionable. Church World - Service has taken such action as it considers feasible in the present circumstances, Mr. MacCracken said, while leaving the way open for possible future developments.
Action taken includes air shipment from Kennedy International Airport of 62,400 doses of typhoid vaccine, valued at $5, 000 and consigned to Holy Family Hospital in Dacca. The hospital is operated by the Medical Mission Sisters, Philadelphia-based Roman Catholic order in fraternal relationship with the Division of Overseas Ministries of the National Council of Churches in which the Episcopal Church is a major participant. CWS does not presently have a program in East Pakistan.
Church World Service has made $2,000 available for emergency needs in East Pakistan at the discretion of Vernon Reimer, Mennonite Central Committee, who is based in Calcutta. In addition, CWS has cabled the East Pakistan Christian Council offering financial assistance, and has assured the World Council of Churches of financial support if requested. CWS also has offered financial support, if needed, to the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board; the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana, and the Seventh Day Adventists, each of which has a small-scale program in East Pakistan.