Background: The airlift of emergency supplies for Bengal began in earnest from Britain today (Tuesday, June 8th). A Royal Air Force aircraft loaded 23 tons of medical supplies and equipment at an air station near London. Two other flights ware due to leave within a few hours.

This was symbolic of the aid which was beginning to pour in from many corners of the world to Bengal which is struggling to cope with million s of refugees from East Pakistan, a cholera epidemic and other medical problems.

Aid is on its way - or promised - from West Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Scandinavia, Yugoslavia, and other countries, as well as from the World Council of Churches and many charitable organisations.