World Council provides support, urges international community to contribute
MADISON, Wis. — In the wake of Hurricane Sandy along the U.S. Northeast coast, World Council of Credit Unions has provided support for relief efforts coordinated by the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) in the United States. World Council is encouraging international credit union organizations to support disaster relief efforts through NCUF's online disaster relief system, CUAid.coop.
"Credit unions, their staff and employees in the Northeast have been significantly affected by this disaster. Many of these are credit unions that have given to help rebuild other countries hit by disaster," said World Council President and CEO Brian Branch. "As a global community committed to building up and helping one another, we encourage our global community to help NCUF support credit unions trying get to their members back on their feet."
According to reports, Hurricane Sandy has killed 75 people, and millions have been left without power. Severe gas shortages are hampering cleanup efforts, flooding has reached historic levels, and mass-transit systems remain closed. The situation has the potential to worsen should displaced credit union members and others not receive necessary assistance.
"Everyone who supports CUAid is helping affected credit union people directly with critical needs, longer-term recovery needs, operational needs and assisting credit union members," said NCUF Executive Director Bucky Sebastian.
The National Credit Union Foundation is the primary national philanthropic program provider, fundraiser and grant-maker for the U.S. credit union system through Credit Union National Association, a World Council member. As donations are made through CUAid.coop, NCUF will coordinate with credit union leagues in the disaster area to efficiently distribute money to affected credit union employees and members. NCUF passes 100% of CUAid donations directly to disaster relief efforts. In the event that all donations are not used for Hurricane Sandy relief, NCUF will transfer any and all unused funds to its "General Disaster Relief Fund" for future disaster relief efforts.
World Council encourages credit union employees, volunteers and members to provide financial support for Hurricane Sandy victims through www.cuaid.coop.
World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) 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.
World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 51,000 credit unions in 100 countries serve 196 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.