White House Press Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 19, 1946 The President announced today the recognition of the Council of Relief Agencies Licensed for Operation in Germany (CRALOG) as the authorized agency for shipping American contributions for civilian relief in Germany. CRALOG is composed of various established relief agencies which are members of the American Council of Voluntary Agencies for Foreign Service and which are interested in this field of relief effort. These agencies which have been licensed by the President's War Relief Control Board to solicit and receive contributions for relief in Germany are: American Friends Service Committee Bethren Service Committee Christian Science War Relief Committee Church Committee on Overseas Relief and Reconstruction-Federal Council of Churches of Christ International Rescue and Relief Committee, Inc. Labor League for Human Rights - A.F. of L. Lutheran World Relief, Inc. Mennonite Central Committee National CIO Community Service Committee Unitarian Service Committee War Relief Services - National Catholic Welfare Conference Each of the above agencies is now authorized to accept contri- butions to be distributed in the American zone of occupation in Germany. These agencies will not, however, be in a position to accept individually addressed relief parcels for delivery in Germany. Early this year, at the invitation of the American military author- ities in Germany, a delegation composed of representatives of member agencies of the American Council of Voluntary Agencies went to Germany to survey relief needs and to discuss with the military authorities arrangements for distribution in Germany of privately contributed relief supplies forwarded from the United States. Permission has now been granted for the shipment of up to 2000 tons per month of relief sup- plies to the American zone provided that shipping and port facilities are available. Shipments will consist primarily of certain special categories of supplies such as: Condensed, evaporated and powdered milk Sugar Fats Soap Clothing and shoes Medical supplies These shipments will be in addition to supplies, consisting principally of grain, brought in by Military Government for German civilian con- sumption. Distribution of relief supplies shipped by CRALOG will be the re- sponsibility of the German Central Committee, composed of represen- tatives of German welfare agencies and operating under the general supervision of Military Government. A small group of American civilians, representing the American Council of Voluntary Agencies, will be located in the American zone to serve as liaison with the American Military Government and the German Central Committee. Additionally, this group will have responsibility for inspecting distribution, expediting the movement of supplies, surveying needs, and furnishing reports to American contributors and to the Military Government. (OVER)