NORTH AMERICA HEADLINESNorth America
Steelworkers Humanity Fund Assists Communities Affected by Tropical Storm
Jun. 30, 2010 The Steelworkers Humanity Fund has contributed $20,000 to assist peasant communities in Guatemala struggling since tropical storm Agatha hit in late May.
More than 100 people were killed by the storm, over 30,000 houses were destroyed, and dozens of people are missing.
"The emergency aid will be channeled through the Steelworkers Humanity Fund long-term partner organization in Guatemala, Health and Community Development Organization Nuevo Amanecer (ASDENA) and Association for the Promotion of Health and Socio-Economic Development. Both organizations have extensive experience in the area and have the capacity to provide effective aid to the affected communities," said United Steelworkers' National Director Ken Neumann.
ASDENA and APROSADSE will provide food to peasant communities where mudslides and river overflows destroyed large areas of crops.
Founded by the United Steelworkers union in 1985, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization. Steelworker members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements, which most commonly provide for a contribution of $20 per-year, per-union member. The mandate of the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is to address issues of hunger and poverty, primarily in the developing world, through development assistance and emergency aid.