The Joint Distribution Committee provided assistance in 1953 to 162, 700 needy Jews in Israel, Europe and the Moslem countries, it was reported today by the JDC headquarters here. The largest group aided — 97,845 — were Jews in seven Moslem countries of Asia and North Africa, where more than one of every six Jewish men, women and children received the agency’s help.
The report indicates continued expansion in the assistance provided by Malben, JDC’s welfare program on behalf of aged, ill and handicapped newcomers to Israel. In contrast with some 19,000 who received Malben aid in 1952, the program aided 21,510 men, women and children during 1953 in a network of old-age homes, custodial care centers, hospitals, sanitaria, sheltered workshops and other institutions throughout the Jewish State. In 1954, JDC has allocated a major share of its $26,186,000 budget– $11, 750, 000–for its Malben program alone.
Summarizing some of the organization’s activities since the end of World War II, the report reveals that JDC aided 621,206 men, women and children to emigrate in the post-war period. During the same years, the overseas relief agency shipped 229,341,144 pounds of food, wearing apparel and other commodities, including medical supplies, from the United States – in addition to thousands of pounds of such items purchased overseas.
In a foreword to the report, Moses A. Leavitt, JDC executive vice-chairman, indicates that, by the end of 1954, the 40th year of JDC activities, the agency will have spent approximately $525,000,000. Countries in which needy Jews received JDC aid during 1953, in addition to Israel, include Austria, Germany, Italy, Belgium, France, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Yugoslavia in Europe; and Algeria, Iran, Libya, French and Spanish Morocco, Tangier, Tunisia and other areas in the Moslem world.
During 1953 JDC-financed credit institutions made 3,336 loans amounting to $1,344, 000, to aid needy and disabled men and women to reestablish themselves economically, Mr. Leavitt stated.
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