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This series tells the story of UNRRA, The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, the first and largest international aid effort in human history. It's told through the eyes and letters of one of its staff, 29 year old Australian girl, Betty Souter. Few people now living have ever heard of UNRRA or the extraordinary urgent work it performed as the tide of World War 2 turned in favour of the allied nations. Millions upon countless millions of people were displaced, starving and homeless. They had no water, no power, and no hope. Interestingly, It’s a story that’s just as relevant today as our world faces its own challenges of political divisions, inequities, hunger, pandemic, and impending displacements of whole populations due to changing climate and rising sea levels.
Episodes
Thursday Dec 09, 2021
Thursday Dec 09, 2021
It's not just the weather which is changing. Bet notes the relationship between UNRRA staff and the local chinese is not as it was. She muses that the political difficulties in China are deteriorating and that a full-blown civil war may indeed come to pass. She's keen to head for home, after some last minute shopping of course. (Image: Her favourite former Nanchang boss, Bill Duncan, and his wife Molly)
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
A different episode. While Bet intended her letters home to be her 'diary/journal' we did find tucked away with her letters a few snippets she noted from time to time. Here they are. (Image: David Woo, UNRRA Nanchang cashier, interpreter and bodyguard for Bet's trip to the dentist at Changsha)
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
The weather is bracing at UNRRA house, snow is expected, and Christmas plans are underway. (Image: The ski suit, a Christmas gift from Bet's youngest sister, Marce, arrives early, but at a perfect time)
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Bet writes a short, but significant, letter to her boss. (Image: Life on the River Kan outside UNRRA House. The boys raising sail on the good ship 'GamBay' while Marj Bloch looks on.)
Sunday Nov 21, 2021
Sunday Nov 21, 2021
More reflections on the road trip to Changsha, tension in the Nanchang office, and growing disillusion. (Image: Main street of Changsha, Hunan November - 1946)
Tuesday Nov 16, 2021
Tuesday Nov 16, 2021
Bet breaks a tooth and embarks on her longest road trip in search of a dentist. Fortunately, she finds one. Quite the adventure. (Image: Lunch at Wantsai on the trip home)
Sunday Nov 14, 2021
Sunday Nov 14, 2021
A different episodee. Instead of a letter home, we have three letters between China Office Shanghai and Bet. Her frustration at lost luggage and laziness in head office shines through. And, she gets a result (of sorts). (Image: 'Army guardhouse on Nanchang - Kuichiang road. Bandit control point!')
Sunday Nov 07, 2021
Sunday Nov 07, 2021
Bet tags along for an afternoon visit to the only university in Kiangsi Province. Another power failure reveals the multi-lingual skills of UNRRA and the reason for a coal shortage. (Image: Refugee children)
Wednesday Oct 13, 2021
Wednesday Oct 13, 2021
Hanks back, and that makes for a very happy Bet. A short letter to Mum. (Image: 'K' , Keith Kestevan, at the wheel of 'Old Gert, the trusty UNRRA weapons carrier, preparing for a road trip to Honk Kong with Marj.)
Sunday Oct 10, 2021
Sunday Oct 10, 2021
Bet despairs at mail lost in a plane crash, shares news and gossip with her mum, and is anxiuously awaiting Hank's return. He's been gone over a month. Will she still like him as much? She hopes so. She thinks so. But intends to be 'very, very sure of myself'. Sounds like things might be getting pretty serious. (Image: In no mans land between the Nationalists and Communists cultivation continues undisturbed. Human water pumps in action)
