In conversations with relief agencies directly involved in this humanitarian effort. I have learned that there is a severe lack of both medical and nonmedical personnel to assist in this effort. In many of the makeshift settlements on the Thai border. food lays untouched because there are not enough volunteers to distribute it to the weak and the sick refugees. At the same time. I have learned that there are many. many people in the United States who wish to volunteer for this relief effort. In fact. one agency has informed me that they receive approximately 125 calls per week from both medically trained individuals and even those with no specialized training who are willing to take time out of their lives to work in the camps in Thailand. Although some international agencies like the American Refugee Committee in Minneapolis have organized efforts to send personnel to these settlements. there is still a tremendous need for many more people. We must do something to bridge the gap that exists here. We must establish a program to train and transport volunteers to help in this noble effort.
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Refugee refugees