HUMANITARIAN WORK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 14 April 1945, Page 3

HUMANITARIAN WORK

ACTION TAKEN BY THE SWISS RELIEF FOR WAR VICTIMS Lkrge posters have been posted in all cities of Switzerland reminding the of the great national campaign in favour of the “Swiss Gift to War Victims.” The Swiss freighter s.s. Henri Dunant arrived in an occupied port of Holland, on Bth March. The ship brought 3,100 tons of foodstuffs which will be distributed among the civilian population of Holland under the control of Swiss citizens residing in that country and with the collaboration of two delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva. The food situation in Southern France is at present very critical. Therefore, the “Swiss Gift to War Victims” sent 110 tons of milk powder to these regions. Half of this quantity is destined for Marseilles, quarter for Toulon, and quarter for Nice. As the daily milk ration for French babies up to 18 months is considered satisfactory, this Swiss milk will be offered the older children. The children’s aid section of the Swiss Red Cross will supervise the distribution. The milk will be prepared and given to the children in school and other canteens. Through donations of milk coupons in Switzerland, it will be possible to give an additional half litre of milk to 10.000 French children during three months. On 12th March, a train brought 466 children into Switzerland from the North of France. They were placed in the Cantons of Basle, St. Gall, Appenzell and Lucerne. About 200 Belgian refugees who were given hospitality in Switzerland as well as a small number of military internees, in addition to 100 Swiss citizens from Belgium, left Basle again for their homeland.

Nearly 700 French children who have been residing in all sections of Switzerland arrived in Geneva. They will go back to France.