Voluntary Relief Agencies

In the event, it was left almost entirelyto non-official agencies to provide cooked food, medical relief, clothing,shelter and, most important, psychological re-assurance to the ever increasingnumber of victims. By 4 November, when there was some evidence of an abatementin the violence, there were already an estimated 50,000 people housed intemporary shelters. We understand that by 5 November there were no less thantwenty-eight such relief centres, only ten of which had been recognised by theadministration.

We have observed, with the greatest admiration and appreciation, the fine workdone by the voluntary agencies. Some of them virtually came into beingovernight, gallantly rallying to the aid of their suffering fellow citizens.Numerous citizens, mostly young, from colleges and homes, housewives and socialworkers sprung into spontaneous action. They organised voluntary efforts toprovide food, clothing, shelter, medical aid, soap and toiletries. Theirlong-term efforts consisted of re-equipping families with basic household needssuch as bedding, utensils and other basic necessities to enable those who werewilling and able to return to their original homes to do so. But the mostinvaluable, and onerous, contribution made by them that won our admiration, wasto console widows and the others bereaved.