- Conference
- 2010 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 22 January 2010
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes the devastation caused by the earthquake that has struck the Caribbean Island of Haiti. Reports have revealed that over 200,000 Haitians have died, including nursing staff, volunteers and other aid workers.
The Haitian government estimate that 1.5 million have been left homeless in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and are sleeping on the streets without shelter, amidst the debris with tarpaulin covered bodies nearby. They have nowhere else to go as homes and hospitals have been destroyed by the earthquake. Most Haitians are without food, clean water, sanitation or proper medical care.
The report indicate that children are being relocated from Haiti to countries where prospective fostering and adoptive parents await. However it is important that the children should be supported by organisations locally in their own culture and community where they can be reunited with family members and gain the necessary support and rehabilitation can be achieved.
Haiti is seen as the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and our assistance is needed in the face of this harrowing event. Unison has created a link to TUC Aid on our website for those of us who wish to make donations. The proceeds of the Appeal will be used by the trade union movement in Haiti for emergency relief and long-term rehabilitation of victims in collaboration with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). In addition, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation that coordinates relief to areas such as Haiti have also set up an account for charitable donations. We welcome the immediate donation from UNISON to the DEC of £10,000 and UNISON support to the TUC Aid fund.
Conference notes that the Labour government has already sent vital equipment and trained UK experts to help in Haiti. They have also announced their intention to provide10 million Haitian dollars in funding to support humanitarian relief work in Haiti.
It is clear that Haiti will need long term assistance in dealing with the consequences of the earthquake that goes beyond financial aid. The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) estimates that some 3m people, most of whom have been made homeless, are in dire need of food, clothes, shelter and essential medicines.
Conference welcomes the response from British medical staff, fire-fighters and other emergency organisation volunteers who have flown over to Haiti to offer medical and practical assistance. Conference calls upon the NBMC to:
1.Encourage regional Black members’ group to seek union and community donation and encourage individuals to pledge their support to the Haitian Earthquake Appeal fund.
2.Encourage regional Black members groups to organise fundraising events.
3.Ask Unison’s International Section to identify and contact all organisations/NGO’s it has contact with and identify any work within Haiti or the near locality who are able to commit to Haitian Relief for a minimum period of 5 years. In addition an annual feedback is provided by the international section to be made available for National Black members’ conference for the next five years.
4.Encourage NBMC to link with organisations identified in point 3 and also encourage Regions and Branches to develop twinning arrangements thus targeting our effort.
5.Recognise the importance of economical, social and infrastructure long term sustainability for the people of Haiti and calls upon the NBMC to liaise with the NEC/Labour link in ensuring the UK government work with other governments/NGOs in addressing the long term infrastructure, economic and social sustainability.