বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড
| শিরোনাম | সূত্র | তারিখ |
| রণার্থীদের দুর্দশা সম্পর্কে 'দি টাইমস’-এর সম্পাদকের কাছে লিখিত লেডি আলেকজান্দ্রা মেটকাফ-এর চিঠি | দি টাইমস | ৫ জুলাই, ১৯৭১ |
REFUGEES IN WEST BENGAL
Letter to the Editor
From Lady Alexandra Metcalfe
Sir, I have just returned from spending some time in the refugee camps in West Bengal. The conditions which have been described in the press and on television and radio are in no way exaggerated. Due to the magnitude of the problem they are the most appalling and harrowing. I have yet seen in many visits to disasters.
Giving shelter and food to over five million totally destitute human beings, and more are steaming over daily, is beyond the capacity of the Indian Government. Their efforts are impressive and praiseworthy. The cases of serious malnutrition among the babies is enormous. The “Save the Children Fund" have hundreds through their hospital in Kalyani, for many it is too late, others are being saved.
The point I would like to stress is that in the coming two to three months due to living conditions in the camps made more intolerable by the monsoon. The shortage of food and other essentials, the situation is going to deteriorate rapidly, epidemics of all sorts will spread like wild fire, and hundreds of thousands more will die. It would be wrong to imagine that because the cholera scare has been checked the most serious problem is over, it has yet to come.
Relief must continue to flow and in no way diminish.
Yours sincerely.
ALEXANDRA METCALFE, Vice-Chairman, “Save the Children Fund". 6S Eaton Place SW1.
July 3.
