TORONTO – The Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) is donating a total of $20,000 to provide support in response to two recent major natural disasters in North Africa.
In Morocco’s Atlas Mountains region, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck on Sept. 8, injuring thousands and killing over 2,000 people. In northeastern Libya, over 5,000 people have died and 10,000 were reported missing after Storm Daniel made landfall on Sept. 10. Strong winds and heavy rainfalls that followed led to the collapse of two dams near the eastern city of Derna, causing catastrophic flooding that has submerged entire neighbourhoods.
The SHF is responding to two emergency appeals. The Fund is donating $7,500 to the Canadian Red Cross to support its relief efforts in Morocco, and $12,500 to Islamic Relief Canada to help provide emergency shelter, food, water, blankets and other basic items to victims of the floods in Libya.
“The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is responding quickly to support victims of these tragic events that have affected Morocco and Libya. As survivors and families of victims now look at rebuilding their lives, we must do what we can to assist global humanitarian efforts to support them,” said Marty Warren, SHF President and National Director of the United Steelworkers union (USW).
Individuals who wish to donate can do so on the websites of Islamic Relief Canada’s Libya Floods Appeal or the Canadian Red Cross Morocco Earthquake Appeal.
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.
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