VANCOUVER—CoDevelopment Canada, a sub-local of CUPE 1004, is calling on CUPE members, the labour movement and other allies from international solidarity circles to help ease the suffering of Nicaraguan residents hit hard by Hurricane Felix.
In the first week of September Hurricane Felix slammed Central America, with northern Nicaragua hit particularly hard by its force. The devastating winds have left many of the country’s most vulnerable indigenous populations without homes and possessions, and the communities of the Miskito Cays have been completely destroyed.
CoDevelopment Canada, which is involved with a CUPE BC project in Nicaragua, has received appeals for support from partners and other organizations, including Dr. Saul Contreras of APS in Managua, and Michael Campbell, Program Coordinator with CEDEHCA. They sent CoDev information on the disaster, (PDF download) as well as plans for relief and rebuilding.
Despite this hurricane season’s having already produced some of the strongest storms in over a century, the situation in Nicaragua has already fallen out of the public eye. As such, any donations made to APS’ and CEDEHCA’s relief work will have a significant impact on the communities they work with in Nicaragua. Both organizations have sent short-term plans for relief, and CoDev expects to receive plans for long-term prevention work in the weeks to come.
“CoDev can issue tax receipts for all donations over $20 that are made towards these relief efforts,” says CoDev’s Carol Wood. “And 100 per cent of all donations will be sent directly overseas to our partners.”
Donations can be made by cheque to CoDevelopment Canada, with “Hurricane Felix”, “Felix-APS” or “Felix-CEDEHCA” in the memo line. Send cheques to CoDevelopment Canada at #101 - 2747, East Hastings St., Vancouver, BC, V5K 1Z8. CoDev can also accept donations by VISA, by calling our offices at 604-708-1495.
Donations can be made through our website, http://www.codev.org/ by clicking on the Canada Helps button, and putting a note in the memo (there is a 3 per cent charge to CoDev for this service). CoDev can receive donations through a deposit to its account at CCEC, #0074294 (transit #43710).
“We anticipate making a first wire transfer to our partners on September 28, to support immediate needs,” adds Wood. “If you need more information, please contact myself or Kirsten Daub at the CoDev office.”