TORONTO – The Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) has contributed $58,950 to support victims of natural and human-made disasters that have deeply impacted communities across the globe in 2019.
In Canada, $10,000 was channelled through Team Rubicon to support victims of the spring floods that have affected hundreds of residents of the Ottawa River Valley in Eastern Ontario, barely two years after the 2017 historic floods.
In Northern Alberta, where forest fires led to the evacuation of the town of High Level and its surroundings, the SHF sent $10,000 to the food bank of the High Level Native Friendship Centre to support affected communities in the area.
On the international level, disaster struck heavily last March in Mozambique, where Cyclone Idai tore through the country, leaving behind 750 victims and 146,000 displaced as well as a trail of destruction. The magnitude of the damage prompted the SHF to support reconstruction efforts with a contribution of $20,450 through partner organizations on the ground: AAJC (a local human rights organization), the Mozambique-Canada Maternal Health Project and OXFAM Québec.
In Brazil, human negligence led to the collapse of a tailings dam operated by mining giant Vale in the State of Minas Gerais. This led to hundreds of deaths and the near obliteration of the community of Brumadinho. The SHF committed $18,500 to Associação Comunitaria da Jangada, a local community association to help with the basic needs of survivors.
“Whether it’s here in Canada or in other parts of the world, solidarity has no borders. This is why as Steelworkers we must do our part to give a hand in the face of disaster but also support the building of a fairer society. I’m proud that thousands of individual Steelworkers members see that and thank them again for their contributions,” said Ken Neumann, President of the Steelworkers Humanity Fund and National Director of the United Steelworkers (USW).
Founded in 1985, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization that focuses primarily on development projects and emergency aid in developing countries but also supports Canadian communities. USW members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements. In some cases employers make matching contributions to the fund.
Ken Neumann, President, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5951
Doug Olthuis, Executive Director, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-859-9953, dolthuis@usw.ca
Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416-544-5966, 416-434 2221, bgallagher@usw.ca
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