Care for refugees
In 1945 the organization and administration of refugees camps, building up in Germany occupational zones, was in the hands of UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration). In August 1945 UNRRA had only 2500 workers, which had to take care of more than a million refugees. In September 1945 more than 50 000 Lithuanians were under the care of UNRRA. In November 1946 this number increased to 58 000 in a total of 263 camps (31 000 lived in American zone, 24500 in zone of UK, 2400 Lithuanians – in French zone). This number does not consist persons living in the private apartments, which, unnoficialy were around 10 000 people. Although later UNRRA workers number increased to 4200, it still was not enough. Therefore local administrative structures were established, who consisted of camp committees, elected by refuges themselves or delegated by UNRRA officcers. They there in charge of nourishment, living conditions, DP registration, admission and evicton, placement, cleaning of the camp and maintenance procedures, education, cultural and religious activities.
Persons, who previously served in German army, left Lithuania before 1944, were brought to Germany for industrial jobs or previously lived in other occupational zone, could not use the care of UNRRA.
After the inspection in 1946 about 5 percent of people lost their displaced persons' privileges.From 1947 UNRRA functions were done by IRO (International Refugee Organization). They monitored the record of people and camps schedule.
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The appeal of the Baltic Central Council representatives regarding cooperation with UNRRA |
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UNRRA office, In Svetimoj padangëj: Würzburgo lietuviř stovyklos metrađtis (Foreign sky: Chronicle of Würzburg Lithuanians), 1946 |
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The appeal by UNRRA to Lithuanians about repatriation, December, 1946 |
