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Stars come out for Haiti

28 January 2010

The TUC is holding a concert to raise money for the relief effort following the earthquake in Haiti.

The Concert for Haiti on Wednesday 3 February at Congress House in London is being billed as a night of "music, poetry and words" and is expected to raise more than £100,000.

Acts confirmed so far include singer-songwriter Billy Bragg, Cuban band Son Mas, politician Tony Benn, film-maker Ken Loach, poet Banjamin Zephaniah and actors Frances de la Tour and Alan Rickman.

PCS has joined other UK unions in rallying support and aid to help deal with the devastation in Haiti and we have donated £5,000 to the relief fund.

Haiti

Johnny, who lost his parents in the earthquake, is treated for a broken leg and trauma in a makeshift field hospital (Photo: Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk)

Photographer Jess Hurd went to Haiti because she says she was angered by the level of avoidable devastation caused by the earthquake, and on her return described it as "the most harrowing story" she has ever covered.

"Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere," she added. "But in terms of resources it used to be one of the richest. Colonialism, slavery, reparations, US intervention, loan repayments and corrupt and incompetent rulers have impoverished this country; this situation is man-made."

Union charity TUC Aid is appealing for funds to provide immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation for victims of the earthquake that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Appeal funds are being channelled through the International Trade Union Confederation so that Haitian trade unions can play a major part in the reconstruction effort.

An ITUC briefing describes how donations are being used to supply humanitarian assistance to the ITUC's affiliates in the region.

This has included distributing food, water and medicines, as well as providing medical personnel and volunteers. Haitian trade unions have been involved in the government committee in charge of co-ordinating aid distribution.

Send donations by cheque, payable to TUC Aid Haiti Earthquake Appeal, to:

TUC Aid
EUIRD
Congress House
Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3LS
 

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