By Stephanie Brown, Marketing and Communication Manager CUFA
Thank you to all who contributed to CUFA’s Typhoon Haiyan Appeal to help those affected in the Philippines.
Funds collected from CUFA’s Typhoon Haiyan Appeal will go to assisting the credit union federations in the Philippines in helping their credit unions to support their members. The aim is to support credit unions that operate in the most affected areas get back up and running, so they can help their members who have been affected as a result of this epic storm.
CUFA have been receiving frequent updates from the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) who have been in constant communication with the credit union federations in the Philippines. Reports have told us that the affected population of credit union members has been no less than 1.5 million people.
Credit unions are able to assist their members through a number of means; these include calamity loans, rebuilding houses and rebuilding livelihoods. They are also assisting members to become disaster-ready in the future. The capacity of the credit unions to restore their services to their members in need depends on the level of impact on their facilities. Generally, credit unions in the affected areas, opened to assist their members within one week from Typhoon Haiyan but for those in more affected areas it was later. Donations received will help rebuild office facilities for those offices that were affected and who need some financial assistance to rebuild.
The ripple effects of the Typhoon will be felt by the people and the credit unions for some time. Donations made to CUFA’s Typhoon Haiyan Appeal will help credit unions get back on their feet so they are better able to service their members whose lives have been destroyed as a result of this natural disaster.
