U.N. Places Emphasis On Welfare Projects

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31724, 6 July 1968, Page 2

U.N. Places Emphasis On Welfare Projects

About 80 per cent of the staff at the United Nations was engaged in humanitarian, peace-keeping and development work, which continued through all the political crises and deadlocks in the general assembly, said Dr V. A. M. Beermann, senior United Nations representative for Australia and New Zealand, in Christchurch yesterday.

“Of the total United Nations annual income, 80 per cent goes to the work of its specialised agencies—the developmental side of the organisation keeps the political side going,” he said. Dr Beermann was speaking at a luncheon held in his honour by the president of the U.N.I.C.E.F. national committee (Mr J. Belich) and the chairman of the newly-formed Christchurch regional committee (Mrs Doreen Grant). Discussing U.N.1.C.E.F., Dr Beermann said this agency was working in 20 developing countries with 500 “on-going” projects for about five years. These were expected to reach out to about 800 million under-privileged children. s42m Income The total income for these projects from all sources for 1968 was SUS42m, about SUSBm short of what would be needed to carry out the work, he said. U.N.LC.E.F. was now working in close co-operation with C.0.R.5.0. to make a combined approach for support. At its suggestion, U.N.I.C.E.F. would soon release a film in New Zealand to show the people “what was being done with their money,” he said.

The film. “When a Man Hungers,” gives a clear picture of U.N.I.C.E.F.’s work in a drought-stricken area of India. Expressing his thanks for the gift of $NZ25,000 from U.N.LC.E.F. in New Zealand, presented to him by Mr Belich, Dr Beermann said that this money would mean that many deprived children would have a better life. N.Z. Gift The New Zealand Government and New Zealanders had always given generous support to the organisation. Dr Beermann said. U.N.LC.E.F., launched as an emergency operation in

Europe after the Second World War, had saved a generation of children who were now becoming world leaders, Mr Belich said. The project had been so successful that it was extended to developing countries in Africa and Asia. “This organisation is not a charity but an investment in humanity and human resources,” he said. U.N.LC.E.F. in New Zealand was now an autonomous body with a national committee and five regional committees, he said. The most important work was the sale of its Christmas cards, designed by some of the world’s leading artists. Money raised in New Zealand was spent in New Zea-

land—about 50,000 wool blankets had been purchased recently from New Zealand manufacturers for the organisation’s relief work overseas, Mr Belich said. Saving children was an eternal problem and no problem had a more heart-touch-ing appeal than a child in distress, said the Mayor of Christchurch (Sir George Manning). He was glad to hear of the close co-operation between U.N.I.C.E.F. and C.0.R.5.0. and the dovetailing of the two organisations’ humanitarian work, he said. About 35 representatives of community organisations and other guests attended the luncheon.