TORONTO – The Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) is contributing $25,000 in emergency relief for Haiti following the August 14 earthquake and August 16 tropical storm that both affected the southern part of the country. The emergency funding is being provided to Institut culturel Karl Lévesque (ICKL) and Confédération des travailleurs(euses) des secteurs public et privés (CTSP) to assist communities in dire need of support.
To respond to the needs created by the earthquake, SHF will support its local partner ICKL with $20,170 in order to build on their existing project with peasant communities of Cavaillon and Maniche. This project will support victims with the purchase of material to shelter themselves from the elements, and support local economic recovery efforts (through the purchase of livestock and seeds).
Along with other Canadian unions, the SHF will also contribute $5,000 through local affiliates of the CTSP, the largest Haitian union confederation. Funds will aim to respond to emergency needs and support local economic recovery affected by Tropical Storm Grace in the areas around Corail, Cayemites, Nippes and Jérémie.
“With the commotion caused by the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse and the insecurity that prevails in the country, these natural disasters have not received as much attention as the situation deserves,” said Ken Neumann, United Steelworkers union National Director and President of the SHF.
“This an opportunity to support two trusted organizations that have close ties to Canadian unions, at a critical time for Haitian society,” Neumann added.
The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization that promotes respect for human rights and contributes to development projects and emergency aid in developing countries through working with organization partners around the globe. It also supports Canadian communities in crisis. United Steelworkers union members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into their collective agreements. In some cases, employers make matching contributions.
Ken Neumann, President, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5951
Doug Olthuis, Executive Director, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-859-9953, dolthuis@usw.ca
Shannon Devine, USW Communications, 416-894-7118 (cell), sdevine@usw.ca
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