On balance, there was little evidence to show that the Falashas were specially selected for persecution. According to an investigation carried out on the spot in 1978, the number of casualties could be counted in tens rather than in hundreds. A considerable number of people were, however, rendered homeless and at the end of 1978 there were 262 Falasha refugee families in Gondar province. News of the disasters naturally spread and, in doing so, became greatly exaggerated so that by the time it reached Israel it had assumed catastrophic proportions.

The funds which were put at the disposal of the Falasha Welfare Association at the beginning of 1973 served their purpose well. They acted as a pump-primer to encourage other supporters and they enabled the Association to put a representative in the field. In 1974 the American Joint Distribution Committee, taking its courage in both hands, reversed its previously aloof policy and decided to participate in the task of saving the Falashas. Together with the Jewish Colonisation Association, who agreed to equal the American contribution, the Joint Distribution Committee promised to subscribe US $25,000 per annum for the following three years and also brought in their United Kingdom colleagues, the Central British Fund, who accepted responsibility for OSE's commitment for medical aid. By now the annual budget had been quadrupled and the operation was beginning to assume a professional look.

Thus, when Julian Kay, having worked hard to develop the