The $4,000,000 refund authorized by the International Refugee Organization to private Jewish agencies for transporting refugees to Israel, while “a welcome step forward,” represents only a partial fulfillment of IRO’s responsibilities, the Institute of Overseas Studies of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds declared in a statement issued today. The Institute asserted that the I.R.O. refund, which only covers the period from May 18, 1948, to January ##, 1949, places a “special and unique discriminatory limit” on financing the move-sent of displaced persons to Israel.
The Institute called upon the I.R.O. to assume the total cost of moving eligible Jewish refugees. It estimated the cost through January 31, 1949, at $8,000,000 and an equal amount to complete the movement to Israel. The statement added that there is no question about the I.R.O.’s ability to pay In full” for the immigration to Israel. It also called for the I.R.O. to reimburse voluntary agencies for expenditures in other areas of care for DP’s.
“Up to now,” the Institute said, “migration from the I.R.O. camps has “been going on at much less than the “budgeted rate. A large surplus is therefore undoubtedly available in the I.R.O. resettlement account.” Other items listed by. The Institute is being the proper responsibilities of I.R.O. included educational facilities, medical services, vocational training, and maintenance of several thousand DP’s in Belgium and France.
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