International Cooperation Deepens to Aid Tsunami Victims

Madison - The World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU) has launched an appeal to the international credit union community for funds to assist with reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
WOCCU is currently working with its associate at SANASA in Sri Lanka to help provide immediate relief assistance, rebuild credit unions and initiate reconstruction of the communities affected.

WOCCU's appeal to aid Tsunami victims has been strengthened in recent days through agreements to coordinate reconstruction efforts with a number of additional organizations. These include the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) of the United States, the German cooperative bank development organization, Deutschen Genossenschafts-und Raiffeisenverbands (DGRV), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
"The level of interest, compassion and support expressed from the international credit union community for its fellow credit unions affected by the Asian Tsunami has been nothing short of remarkable," indicated L.R. (Bobby) McVeigh, Board Chairman of WOCCU. McVeigh continued, "we are grateful for monies pledged already and encourage others to contribute to the Worldwide Foundation's Disaster Relief Fund for the Tsunami Relief. WOCCU will continue to provide updates on events in the affected areas and the impact which contributions are having on the ground."
WOCCU is working with its associate in Sri Lanka to assess the damage to credit unions. WOCCU will have staff on the ground in Sri Lanka within the week to provide direct assistance. WOCCU staff will aid the 800 primary society credit unions that have been damaged and will begin disbursements of funds collected by the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions.
For more information on how to contribute to the Worldwide Credit Union Foundation-Tsunami Relief Fund visit the WOCCU website at www.woccu.org/disaster_relief.


World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.