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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
May 2, 2021
May 2, 2021
20 min
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)
May 1, 2021
May 1, 2021
15 min
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)
Apr 26, 2021
Apr 26, 2021
18 min
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)
Apr 16, 2021
Apr 16, 2021
13 min
Betty has been waiting around in Shanghai awaiting instructions. She now receives her appointment to the provinces. (Image: Betty & Harry Bishop in pedicab)
Apr 8, 2021
Apr 8, 2021
17 min
Betty arrives in Shanghai and shares her first impressions. (Image: Open-air vegetable market)
Mar 28, 2021
Mar 28, 2021
14 min
Betty settles in for her adventure aboard a roaring, rattling C-47 military transport (Image: C-47 on arrival in Manila.)
Mar 26, 2021
Mar 26, 2021
15 min
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)
Mar 23, 2021
Mar 23, 2021
7 min
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?
Mar 16, 2021