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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
Sunday May 02, 2021
Sunday May 02, 2021
This is the first of Betty's multi-copy 'newsletters' describing life, accomodation and her work colleagues in the UNRRA regional office at Nanchang (Image: UNRRA House, Nanchang, Kiangsi)
Saturday May 01, 2021
Saturday May 01, 2021
Betty touches base with Dad, eagerly awaiting news of the 'goings on' at home (Image: L to R - 'JR' Marlowe, Marjorie Bloch, Dr Reta Adams & Betty)
Monday Apr 26, 2021
Monday Apr 26, 2021
Letter to Betty's Godmother, Edith Thompson, reflecting on 2 weeks in Shanghai, and shipboard life on the Yangtze River, avoiding pirates and food poisoning (Image: Betty aboard SS Kiang Ning)
Friday Apr 16, 2021
Friday Apr 16, 2021
Betty has been waiting around in Shanghai awaiting instructions. She now receives her appointment to the provinces. (Image: Betty & Harry Bishop in pedicab)
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
Betty arrives in Shanghai and shares her first impressions. (Image: Open-air vegetable market)
Sunday Mar 28, 2021
Sunday Mar 28, 2021
Betty settles in for her adventure aboard a roaring, rattling C-47 military transport (Image: C-47 on arrival in Manila.)
Friday Mar 26, 2021
Friday Mar 26, 2021
75 years ago today, 26 March 1946 the world was in ruins. And so was Betty. She decides that helping with one might just help heal the other. To the horror and dismay of her parents, family and friends she leaves Sydney and travels to work in China. 1946 was a very different time. (Image: Betty & family in Sydney prior to departure)
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Betty's always enjoyed a good party. And why not? She's heading off to who knows what in only 3 days. But, can she be talked out of it?
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021