Series S-1256 - Division of Repatriation and Welfare - Correspondence

No. of Boxes: 3

The Welfare Divisions of UNRRA was organized in Feb. 1944. Its internal organization at this time consisted of an Administrative Branch and a Research and Planning Branch. At the same time there was established a Displaced Persons Division.
On 3 May 1945, the functional Divisions of Welfare, Health and Displaced Persons, originally responsible directly to the Director General, were transferred to the Bureau of Services. At the same time the functions of the Camps Division of the Bureau of Areas were transferred to the Displaced Persons Division and the Welfare Division in ERO was abolished. On 13 April 1946, the Welfare Division merged with the Displaced Persons Division to form the Division of Repatriation and Welfare, which included 3 branches: the Reports and Records Branch, the Program Planning Branch, and the Operations Branch. Myer Cohen became the Director of this newly formed Division. In Sept. 1946 the Division was shorn of its welfare functions and became the Division of Repatriation; in Dec. 1946 it was merged with the Bureau of Services.
At various times, the welfare and displaced persons functions included the following:
Provided the basic necessities of life during emergency periods, including temporary mass feeding, temporary shelter, and direct distribution of supplies.
Ensured simple and fair procedures for determining which individuals and families were entitled to receive free supplies and services; ensured that the methods of distribution provided ready access to the supplies and services for all those who were entitled to receive them.
Organized special relief and rehabilitational services for individuals, families or groups who required particular types of assistance. Such services included day nurseries, foster home placement, institutional care and services, individual or family counseling, occupational training etc.
Reviewed requests for and made recommendations concerning supplies, equipment, and other facilities needed to carry out the functions listed above.
Coordinated and regulated the activities of voluntary organizations interested in carrying out relief and rehabilitation programs overseas, in so far as these responsibilities had been delegated to the Administration by member governments.
Reviewed camp management operations and provided technical advice on the management of camps; determined supply requirements of camps and policies affecting camps.
Arranged for the identification and registration of displaced persons, and for their care and repatriation or return to place of former residence.