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RELEASE, 29 June 2010 - National Director Ken Neumann announced $20,000 to assist peasant communities in Guatemala struggling in the aftermath of the tropical storm Agatha, where more than 100 people were killed, over 30,000 houses destroyed.

United Steelworkers’ (USW) National Director Ken Neumann announced a contribution by the Steelworkers Humanity Fund of $20,000 to assist peasant communities in Guatemala struggling in the aftermath of the tropical storm Agatha.

"The emergency aid will be channelled through the Steelworkers Humanity Fund long-term partner organization in Guatemala, Health and Community Development Organization Nuevo Amanecer (ASDENA) and Association for the Promotion of Health and Socio-Economic Development. Both organizations have extensive experience in the area and have the capacity to provide effective aid to the affected communities," said Ken Neumann.

Following the tropical storm in late May, more than 100 people were killed, over 30,000 houses were destroyed and dozens of people are missing.

ASDENA and APROSADSE will provide food to peasant communities where mudslides and river overflows destroyed large areas of crops.

Founded by the United Steelworkers union in 1985, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization. Steelworker members contribute to the Fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements, which most commonly provide for a contribution of $20 per-year, per-union member. In a number of important collective agreements matching contributions have been negotiated from employers.

The mandate of the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is to address issues of hunger and poverty, primarily in the developing world, through development assistance and emergency aid.

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Contact: Ken Neumann, USW, 416.487.1571 / 416.558.2510 / Doug Olthuis, Humanity Fund, 416.544.5957 /