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“Red Cross Aids Victims of Biafran-Nigerian War”

“Red Cross Aids Victims of Biafran-Nigerian War,” Milwaukee Star, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 4, 1969
“Red Cross Aids Victims of Biafran-Nigerian War” (page 2), Milwaukee Star, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 4, 1969

This article details the International Committee of the Red Cross’ response to the Biafra War and provides insight into how money was being used by the ICRC on a national scale, and how local communities were fundraising. It reported that “the American National Red Cross already has contributed $70,000 to the ICRC relief operation, and some $200,000 in medical supplies,” in what was the largest Red Cross relief operation since WWII. It also said that the Milwaukee-Waukesha-Ozaukee Red Cross chapter had recieved and donated more than $1,400 in donations to the ICRC. The ICRC estimated that more than four million refugees, 30% of which were under the age of 12, were forced from their homes by the war and most of them experienced starvation.

“Letters to the Editor”

“Letters to the Editor,” Topeka Messenger, Topeka, Kansas, August 8, 1969
“Letters to the Editor” (cont.), Topeka Messenger, Topeka, KS, August 8, 1969

This “Letters to the Editor” section of the Topeka Messenger, an African-American newspaper based in Topeka, Kansas, featured a letter written to the editor of the newspaper to raise awareness about how many people were dying of starvation in Biafra by comparing the numbers of losses to populations of Kansas cities. The letter highlights actions that the government can and should take to limit the deaths in Biafra and critiques the idea that because Nigeria is using starvation rather than “gas ovens,” the crimes being committed are not genocidal.

“Nigeria not turning other cheek to racists”

This article from The Crusader, an African-American newspaper based in Rockford, Illinois, highlights a post-war statement from the Nigerian government expelling “all foreign relief workers who operated illegally in the secessionist enclave.” Following the end of the war, the Nigerian government rejected aid from former allies of Biafra and requested assistance from a “number of friendly governments.”

“Help for Biafra”

“Help For Biafra,” Bulletin, Chicago, Illinois, December 18, 1968 (page 3)

This article from The Bulletin, an African-American newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, was published around Christmas time and highlighted third graders Janet Fairley and Jonathan Mitchell from Parker Elementary School. These students saved their pennies, nickels and dimes to donate to the children in Biafra after receiving encouragement from Velma Sykes, their third-grade teacher.

“Biafra Confab”

This short article from The Milwaukee Star, an African-American newspaper based in Milwaukee, Wisconson, reported that Dr. K.O. Mbadiwe, a special representative from the Republic of Biafra, spoke to the Chicago chapter of the Biafra Students Association in the
Americas.

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