Solidarity with Colombians as Covid compounds crisis

COVID-19 dominates so much of the news and our thoughts here in the UK at present that it can be easy to forget the non-COVID issues that people continue to face around the world. These problems have no ‘pause for pandemic’ button and for the most part, have been made even more acute in the light of the crisis. In the two weeks to 10 August, Colombia was reported to have the fourth most confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world, with more than 12,000 reported deaths to date. For Colombians, the virus has compounded ongoing issues in the region, with reports of violently enforced cartel lockdowns during the pandemic. Now, more than ever, people need the skills and the confidence to empower their communities and organise for change. Nomadesc, UNISON president Josie Bird’s chosen charity for her year of office, is a human rights organisation that works to support communities, trade unions and social movements in the south west of the country, with a focus on communities affected by forced displacement. On trips to the region, Josie has seen first-hand how the charity helps people live “fulfilling lives in incredibly volatile situations”. She saw the problems caused by the almost non-existence of public services and the absolute lack of secure employment in Columbia as a “cautionary tale” of extreme neoliberalism. Everything we believe in With its roots in a public services trade union, it is unsurprising that Nomadesc’s principles closely mirror those of UNISON. The ...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News Covid-19 Josie Bird Nomadesc president Source Type: news