The American Joint Distribution Committee and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are cooperating in a Refugee Health Program in Latin America, it was announced here today in connection with the arrival of Carlos L. Israels, president of United Hias Service and Gaynor I. Jacobson, executive director of United Hias Service. They arrived here to begin a survey of health and welfare conditions in Jewish communities in Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.
The migration agency officers will meet with Dr. Alexander Gonik, director of the medical department of the American Joint Distribution Committee, who is presently in Latin America, and with Fred E. Weinstein, director of the United Hias Service, and American Joint Distribution Committee South American Offices in Rio de Janeiro, to examine the health problems of postwar refugees. Discussions will also be held with government officials and Jewish community leaders.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is making funds available to establish new institutions and to expand existing facilities in order to care for mentally ill or aged refugees of all faiths. Hospitals and old age homes maintained by the Jewish communities will participate in the cooperative project of the American Joint Distribution Committee, United Hias Service and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and local Jewish communities.
The United Hias Service leaders pointed out that, since 1933, more than 200,000 Jewish refugees have been assisted to establish new homes in Latin America.
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