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Epidemics Threaten Refugees in Hungary, Rumania, Red Cross Reports

October 26, 1939
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Epidemics are threatening concentrated groups of Polish refugees who have found temporary shelter in Hungary and Rumania, as well as interned soldiers, the American Red Cross said today following receipt of cables from its delegates who are surveying conditions in those countries.

At the same time, the Red Cross announced that shipments of drugs, blankets and warm underwear are being forwarded to the refugees, of whom there are an estimated 80,000, this week. One unit of basic drugs sufficient to stock a hospital for six months is being sent to Hungary and Rumania by way of the Mediterranean together with 20,000 suits of underwear and 5,000 blankets.

In addition, the Red Cross today allocated $25,000 to purchase drugs in Switzerland and Holland to be handled by the German Red Cross for the relief of sick and wounded in camps and hospitals in that part of Poland under German control.

Earnest J. Swift and Wayne Chatfield Taylor, of the American delegation, visited Hungary and Rumania and reported on the desperate conditions of refugees in the two countries.

The Red Cross also announced receipt of a cable from the International Red Cross reporting the presence of approximately 100,000 Polish refugees near Wilno. The Yugoslav Red Cross reported that 1,000 Polish refugees were in need in that country.

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