GARIOA facts for kids

Government Aid and Relief in Occupied Areas (GARIOA) was a special program. The United States started it after World War II ended in 1945. From 1946 onwards, GARIOA gave emergency help to countries the US occupied. These included Japan, Germany, and Austria. Most of this help was food. It was given to stop people from starving in these areas.

Helping Germany After World War II

Germany got GARIOA aid from July 1946 to March 1950. The US Congress voted for GARIOA money in 1946. They wanted to stop "disease and unrest" that could harm the US soldiers there. Congress said the money could only buy food, oil, and fertilizers. It was not allowed for raw materials needed by German factories. At this time, the US followed a rule called JCS 1067. This rule told US forces not to help Germany's economy grow.

Food Shortages and Aid in Germany

By 1948, the US and UK had spent nearly $1.5 billion on food aid in Germany. Still, German food rations were not enough. They were far below the healthy amount of food people needed. Officials even said the food given out meant people were "fairly rapidly starving."

Repaying the Aid

Germany had to pay back the GARIOA aid. This was similar to the later Marshall Plan aid, which started in 1948. By 1953, West Germany owed over $3.3 billion for both GARIOA and Marshall Plan help. However, in 1953, it was decided that West Germany only had to pay back $1.1 billion. This amount was fully repaid by 1971.

Private Help for Germans

In 1945, groups like the International Red Cross were not allowed to give food to ethnic Germans. But in early 1946, this rule changed. Groups like CRALOG could then help. By spring 1946, the International Red Cross could also visit war prisoners. They could give small amounts of food aid to prisoners in the US occupation zone.

GARIOA Aid for Japan

The US had a clear goal for giving food to civilians in Japan. This goal was set in late 1945 and confirmed in 1946. It said:

"The United States wants to stop starvation, widespread disease, and civil unrest. These problems could (1) clearly endanger the occupying forces, and (2) permanently stop the goals of the occupation."

Preventing Hunger and Unrest in Japan

To stop "hunger and social unrest," GARIOA gave a lot of money to Japan. In 1946, Japan received $92.63 million. In 1947, it was $287.33 million. In 1948, the amount was $351.40 million. In Western Europe, the Marshall Plan helped economies rebuild from 1948. But for Japan, the Far Eastern Commission wanted to reduce its factories. This was to make sure Japan could not become a military threat again. The plan was to lower Japan's living standards to what they were in 1930–1934. In the end, Japan's factories were not reduced as much as Germany's.

Shifting Towards Economic Rebuilding

The US taxpayers were paying a lot for this emergency aid. So, in April 1948, a report called the Johnston Committee Report suggested rebuilding Japan's economy. This report also said that Japan should pay less in war damages. It also suggested relaxing rules that broke up big companies. For the year 1949, money from the GARIOA budget was moved. It went into a new program called Economic Rehabilitation in Occupied Areas (EROA). This money was used to buy materials needed for economic reconstruction.

Volunteer Groups Helping Japan

Volunteer groups created Licensed Agencies for Relief in Asia (LARA). This group helped organize their efforts. It gave them one contact point with the military. The military had refused to work with each group separately. LARA worked from 1946 to 1952. It sent many tons of food and clothes to Japan.