Secretariat

Extract

A spontaneous movement, among members of the Secretariat, “to do something directly and personally toward helping India in her present dangerous food crisis” resulted in the establishment, on April 17, 1951, of an unofficial committee — the United Nations Secretariat Committee for Food Relief to India. Dr. Ralph Bunche, who was elected its chairman, wrote to the staffs of all United Nations offices, missions, and specialized agencies not located at the permanent headquarters, suggesting that they join in the effort. The committee accepted the offer of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund to use the services of its procurement division in obtaining the wheat. United Kingdom, United States, and Netherlands shipping companies which were members of the India, Pakistan, Ceylon, and Burma Outward Freight Conference in New York had waived transportation costs as a gesture of sympathy with the Secretariat's efforts. The first shipment of wheat reached Bombay on July 16, 1951. By August 1, total contributions were in excess of $20,000.