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Ottawa (05 Oct. 2021) — The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has made a donation, from its John Fryer Fund, to the relief efforts in Haiti.
NUPGE responded to an appeal issued by the Confederation of Public and Private Sector Workers of Haiti (CTSP) as it responds to the devastation wrought by the August 14 earthquake and, 2 days later, by tropical storm Grace.
Solidarity with the Haitian people
"Our members, along with all Canadians, watched in horror as the earthquake and storm brought devastation to the people of Haiti," wrote Larry Brown, NUPGE President, to the General Secretary of the CTSP.
CTSP having an impact in the community
The CTSP contributed to an emergency response by
- providing impacted communities with tents, hygienic, kits and water;
- purchasing school supplies and subsidizing transportation to get children back into school;
- assisting in building temporary shelter for farmers and helping them purchase supplies;
- providing economic stimulus for small merchants and support for informal workers.
"It is gratifying to know that our assistance goes to a trade union with a strong presence in the community," wrote Brown. "I hope that our expression of solidarity goes towards easing some suffering and to restoring dignity to many of the people of Haiti."
World must not turn its back
"I also hope that, once this crisis has passed, the world will not, once again, turn its back on Haiti," continued Brown. "On behalf of the 390,000 members of NUPGE, we offer our support and commitment to help you build a just and prosperous future for the Haitian people."
NUPGE joined the Canadian Labour Congress and other unions — CUPE, PSAC, and USW — in responding to the appeal.