ABSTRACT
In 1943 a large part of the $1,500,000 that the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union gave to philanthropic purposes went to favored overseas projects. Despite the support of leaders whose American loyalty was above suspicion, Russian War Relief felt it well to assure the public that it need not feel squeamish lest in giving aid it advance the cause of communism, since the supplies were not directed to any political purpose. Having established the Mennonite Central Committee to coordinate the work of relief agencies already formed by constituent Mennonite sects, the Committee in 1943 began to work with Polish and Balkan refugees in the Middle East, first in cooperation with Middle East Relief and Refugee Administration (MERRA), a British organization, and after 1944 with UNRRA which assumed MERRA's responsibilities. Two years later this committee began its work in India, and when Allied victories opened the doors in Europe, joined with other religious agencies in providing emergency relief.
