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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
Jun 13, 2021
Jun 13, 2021
25 min
Bet provides new and entertaining perspectives on her big road trip. (Image: Soldiers, bayonets and Yangtze River crossings)
Jun 8, 2021
Jun 8, 2021
26 min
Betty seizes an opportunity for a road/rail/river trip to neighbouring provinces (Image: Life on the road. Another day, another pothole)
Jun 2, 2021
Jun 2, 2021
16 min
Finding peace and quiet without a hundred or more onlookers borders on the impossible. Except today. (Image: Sully, Claude and Marj picnic at Nanchang Agricultural Institute - "a wet day, but super picnic")
May 29, 2021
May 29, 2021
16 min
UNRRA gets new transport. Betty roams the coutryside on Japanese Imperial Army horses. (Image: The good ship 'Gambay' - 
UNRRA staff rowing furiously, but getting nowhere)
May 27, 2021
May 27, 2021
11 min
A short letter touching base, a report extract, and The Story of UNRRA continues (Image: Betty watching a passing raft on River Kan outside the UNRRA Hostel, Nanchang)
May 23, 2021
May 23, 2021
35 min
We've tracked down a letter written by Marjorie Bloch, describing her arrival in China, meeting Betty and their wilderness adventure from Shanghai to Nanchang. She tells a great yarn. (Image: Marjorie Bloch at UNRRA House, Nanchang)
May 18, 2021
May 18, 2021
15 min
Bet reflects on being a wealthy 'long-nosed spider', the rigours faced by the next arrivals from Shanghai, and a big night out on the town. (Image: The UNNRA crew mightn't look like fun lovers - but you'd be wrong to think so.
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
21 min
Betty talks of another shopping adventure, the joy of gardening, and being invited to address the Nanchang English Speaking Club. (Image: Betty hard at work preparing reports)
May 8, 2021
May 8, 2021
24 min
Betty takes us shopping in downtown Nanchang. (Image: Betty surrounded by usual curious crowd in downtown Nanchang)
May 4, 2021
May 4, 2021
18 min
Betty tells us a little more about living arrangements in Nanchang, and describes how UNRRA works and what it does. (Image: No3 Government Orphanage, Nanchang. All the children live in the tent, while CNRRA erects new building funded by UNRRA)
