The Press FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1970. Relief for Pakistan

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32459, 20 November 1970, Page 12

The Press FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1970. Relief for Pakistan

Voluntary welfare organisations and other bodies in New Zealand have been quick to answer the appeal from Pakistan for help for the survivors of last Friday’s hurricane and tidal wave, one of the most dreadful natural disasters of modem times. The need for help on a massive scale is obvious; and as relief workers and transport are mobilised, those who contribute can be increasingly confident that their gifts will be used effectively to minimise further loss of life and suffering. The death toll of this disaster can still only be guessed at; whatever its magnitude it will be an inadequate measure of the tragedy—and of the need for aid. The true measure will be the countless survivors who are injured, sick, homeless, or hungry, who can do little to help themselves and who might, if help cannot be brought to them in time, eventually be accounted unlucky to have missed the more merciful fate of sudden death. The rest of the world must do what it can to mitigate the consequences of this disaster. The New Zealand Government is expected to decide on Monday upon the action it will take. Without means to rush material aid to the Bay of Bengal, New Zealand is probably wise to delay its decision until the most helpful course has been determined; but everyone will expect effective decisions to be taken without a moment’s unnecessary delay and—if money can buy the means of preventing suffering—without regard for the cost The response of many New Zealanders to this human tragedy is a clear enough indication of what the public expect of the Government