Archive for 2009
€61,263 for reconstruction of houses, schools and hospitals in Cuba
Posted on May 13, 2009
The Cuban Ambassador Noel Carillo receives the funding from the Vice Chair of the Global Solidarity Committee Mick Dowling
The four hurricanes that hit Cuba in just three weeks last autumn are the worst natural disasters for this island nation since 1963. Therefore the Executive Council of Congress decided last October to start an All Ireland Trade Union Campaign to support the Cuban people's efforts to rebuild their country. We succeeded to collect €61,263. Contributions came from SIPTU €38,270, CWU €10,000, UNITE €5,143 and 12 other unions.
Half a million houses were destroyed by the hurricanes. Major factories, schools, telecommunications, hospitals, government buildings and farms were severely damaged. The agriculture sector was also severely hit, as much as 70% of last year's food production was lost.