The Co-operative Bank has donated £20,000 to Co-operatives UK’s appeal fund set up to help co-ops in countries affected by the recent spate of national disasters.
The World Disaster campaign led by Co-operatives UK aims to help co-ops recover after severe floods in South East Asia and hurricanes across the Caribbean devastated their communities.
Co-operatives UK’s appeal will channel funds through the International Co-operative Alliance to enable long-term support to reach co-operatives in affected countries. The emergency fund will be distributed to co-ops on the ground in these disaster struck areas in order to allow them to rebuild.
The Bank’s donation will be split equally to help co-ops in the Caribbean and South East Asia.
Liam Coleman, chief executive at the Bank, said: “The recent natural disasters in Asia and the Caribbean are a human tragedy with lives, homes and livelihoods lost as a result of the devastation. Our donation, along with those from the wider co-operative movement, will help those communities who need it most – by giving long-term sustainable development to those co-operatives who play such an important role.
“As a bank that is defined by its values and ethics, our co-operative heritage and on-going commitment to the co-operative sector is vitally important to us and we hope this donation can make a real difference to co-operators who are rebuilding after recent events.”
Ed Mayo, chief executive of Co-operatives UK, said: “The floods and storms are devastating the lives of millions of people. We know that co-ops offer a vital tool for people to rebuild their homes and livelihoods together.
“We are encouraging UK co-ops to donate what they can to this emergency appeal to support the development of co-operatives that will aid long-term sustainable reconstruction. This is people-to-people support.”
Donations to the emergency fund can be made by contacting Co-operatives UK emailing [email protected] indicating the amount organisations wish to donate and their preference to contribute to development in south-east Asia or the Caribbean.
