News Brief

J. I. C. HELP WILL BE “BADLY NEEDED” THIS YEAR, WARBURG SAYS

Mr. Leavitt reports that by the end of December, JDC was caring for nearly 11,000 Hungarian refugees in Austria. In addition to the assistance provided for these “new” refugees, JDC subsidized programs in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Norway and Greece.

Turning to the situation in Moslem countries, particularly North Africa, Mr. Leavitt summarizes the increasing difficulties which Jews in these areas are facing as a result of the rise of Arab nationalism. He indicates that in Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria the situation is constantly changing, with JDC providing such assistance as is required.

The help of the welfare agency is currently reaching some 54,000 men, women and children in Morocco alone. Beneficiaries in other areas include 22,500 in Tunisia, 3,100 in Tangier, 3,000 in the northern zone of Morocco and 1,300 in Algeria. In Iran, the only Moslem country outside of North Africa in which the JDC maintains a program, a total of 17,000 receive JDC aid.

Edward M. M. Warburg, chairman of the JDC. and formerly president and now honorary chairman of the UJA, declares in the report that “you and I–and the world–were uplifted by the fight of the underdog against oppression” in the closing months of 1956. “We were inspired, and I think that some of that inspiration will remain with us forever.”

Noting that “it is too early” to know precisely the nature of JDC’s responsibilities for the year ahead, Mr. Warburg declares: “That JDC’s help is badly needed, that it is really effective, there can be no doubt. The nature of JDC’s aims will not change, although its responsibilities may. We will continue to extend the warm hand of affection and help to our fellow Jews in whatever part of the world they may be and whatever the nature of their trouble.”