Emergency disaster relief is being rushed by the Joint Distribution Committee to some 5,000 Jews rendered homeless by a tornado and flood which swept away much of the town of Sefrou, Morocco, last week, it was announced here today by the J.D.C.’s European headquarters.
Some two tons of emergency supplies, including food, clothing, medicines and blankets have already been supplied to the Jews. Trucks are still rolling from J.D.C. depots in Casablanca to the stricken area. The J.D.C. has already allocated 1,000,000 francs for the work, which is under the direction of William Bein, its director in Morocco. Mr. Bein has also organized a Jewish Relief Committee in Sefrou.
In a telephone conversation with the European headquarters, Mr. Bein reported that the bodies of 22 Jews have been recovered and that the search, which has already uncovered 68 victims of all faiths, continues.
The town is situated in the Atlas Mountains, some 12 miles form Fez. Its population was 18,000. Last Monday a torrential downpour which accompanied the tornado flooded the banks of the Aggai River, which runs through Sefrou. All bridges were washed out and many buildings along both banks of the river were destroyed, including the local power plant.
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