BWI has now re-established contact with its affiliates in Chile. Information received from the CTF, Confederation of Forestry Workers, is that the head office of the union, in Concepcion, has been destroyed by the effects of the earthquake. This city was the closest to the epicenter of Sunday's earthquake. The leadership of the union, Sergio Gatica and Jorge Gonzalez and their families, have survived the earthquake.

We have also re-established contact with our affiliated unions in the construction industry. They also report widespread damage throughout their network of regional and local offices.

It is so far unclear exactly how many forestry, wood and construction workers were fatal victims of the quake and the ensuing tsunami. The geography of the central region of the country is a long narrow coastal strip where the major roads and rail infra-structure is located and where a great deal of damage has been sustained.

Employment in the wood and forestry is apparently very hard hit, with major companies reporting a halt in production. Reports expect some time to pass before normal activities are fully resumed.

BWI is sending some immediate aid to its affiliates in Chile, which is aimed at providing humanitarian relief in order help provide some basic needs for union members. However, as Ambet Yuson, BWI General Secretary said: "we are now appealing to our affiliates around the world to come to the support of our colleagues and in Chile."

In a second phase of support, efforts will be directed to re-building the unions’ own infrastructure.

BWI will provide updates on the developing situation in the country as these become available.

We are calling on you to provide support which will be forwarded to our affiliated unions in Chile. Contributions can be sent to the following account and BWI will ensure that this is transferred to support our affiliates and their members and will be used in a second phase, to assist trade unions to re-build the vital infra-structure that they lack today. Please mark your contributions: “SOLIDARITY CHILE”

Bank details:

BANQUE COOP
6-8 Place Longemalle
1204 Genève
Switzerland

SWIFT CODE ( = BIC) COOPCHBB12A

INTERNATIONALE DES TRAVAILLEURS DU BATIMENT ET DU BOIS / IBB
54, route des Acacias,
CH - 1227 Carouge
SWITZERLAND

For Swiss Francs:
No 246606.290190-6 (CHF)
IBAN CH41 0844 0246 6062 9019 0

For US Dollars:
No 246606.310090-7 (USD)
IBAN CH24 0844 0246 6063 1009 0

For Euros:
No 246606.310290-0 (EUR)
IBAN CH56 0844 0246 6063 1029 0