Damage in Nepal to buildings. Photo shot by Nepal Federation of Savings & Credit Cooperative Unions.
KATHMANDU, Nepal. — Several credit union organizations around the world are seeking to provide aid and relief to their counterparts in Nepal in the wake of the devastating 7.9 earthquake here. The death toll from the earthquake is approaching 5,000 people, according to authorities.
The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) said it has been in communication with the Nepal Federation of Savings & Credit Cooperative Unions (NEFSCUN) as well as the Association of Asian Confederation Credit Unions to launch a fundraising effort to help Nepalese CUs, which are known locally as Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs).
In Saskatchewan, credit unions are accepting donations on behalf of the Canadian Red Cross to help Nepalese affected by the devastating earthquake last week.
“It’s actually a Saskatchewan Credit Union initiative, and we often work with the Canadian Red Cross to help them collect donations anytime there is any sort of disaster relief initiative,” said Marketing Specialist Wendy Lockman of Innovation CU. “The branches often work with Red Cross outreach efforts. So we are one of those credit unions and you can drop by any of our branches or advice centres and make a donation.”
Lockman told local media there is added incentive to donate between now and May 25, 2015. “We just put the donation in our account, and at the end of the collection period (May 29), we just send one big check to the Red Cross. The Government of Canada matches all funds donated until May 25. So it’s a great time to make a donation prior to that because then you’re contributing doubly.”
In Ireland, credit unions and the Irish League of Credit Unions International Development Foundation have pledged€50,000 to help those affected by the earthquake in Nepal.
According to the Foundation, a major element of the fund, to be administered with other international credit union bodies, will go towards supporting the revitalization of Nepalese credit unions, which were destroyed, and to support staff and members affected by one of the worst natural disasters in recent times.
In Harrisburg, Penn., the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association, Pacul Services, Inc. and the Pennsylvania Credit Union Foundation will each be sending $1,000 in disaster relief aid to the World Council of Credit Unions for use in our Nepalese colleagues affected by the earthquake.
Those interested in making a donation to help Nepal’s credit unions and its members should send funds to: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, Inc. 5710 Mineral Point Road Madison, WI 53705 or online at www.woccu.org/give.