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The Council of Global Unions, meeting Geneva, has sent a message of solidarity to trade union affiliates in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe caught up in the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai.

More than 500 have died and that number is expected to rise, once the full extent of the devastation can be assessed. Many more people have lost their homes and their livelihoods. At least 100 have been killed and more than 500,000 have been effected in the coastal city of Beira in Mozambique alone.  

UNI Global Union General Secretary, Christy Hoffman said, “Our hearts go out to the victims. Sadly it is working people - the poor and vulnerable, who take the brunt of these terrible natural disasters. We stand with them in solidarity.”  

The CGU, which includes UNI Global Union, has called for trade union members to give generously to relief efforts, and the international community to rise to the challenge of rebuilding the many communities which have been devasted. The members of the CGU also praised the emergency services who risked their lives in the teeth of the cyclone in order to save others.

“Cyclone Idai was one of the worst extreme weather events ever to hit the Southern Hemisphere, and we re-double our commitment to the fight against climate change, which was certainly a major factor in the genesis of this catastrophe.

“We pledge to stand by our member organisations as the immediate and urgent work to tackle the physical and psychological health consequences of the cyclone takes place, and in the enormous tasks of rebuilding infrastructure and regenerating economies to ensure decent work,” concluded the statement.

Read the full statement here: https://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/2019-03-22_solidarity_statement_cgu_ida...