$45,000 Grant to Help Haitian Credit Unions Recover from August Earthquake
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions utilizes Project Storm Break fund
September 14, 2021
MADISON, Wis.—Six credit unions in Haiti devastated by an August 14 earthquake will soon be back and up running thanks to a $45,000 grant issued through Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions’ Project Storm Break initiative.
The money will help the impacted credit unions set up emergency tents, IT equipment and other supplies needed to begin serving members as assessments on their damaged permanent structures continue. All six credit unions are located near the epicenter of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, which struck in the southwest corner of Haiti’s Tiburon Peninsula.
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, the charitable and engagement arm of World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), will administer the grant to Association Nationale des Caisses Populaires Haitiennes (ANACAPH). A credit union-owned organization and affiliate member of WOCCU, ANACAPH provides representation, advocacy, governance, IT support, education, technical assistance and training to 86 credit unions serving more than one million members in Haiti.
ANACAPH will disburse the funds among the six impacted credit unions and provide updates on their progress to Worldwide Foundation. As assessments of the credit union damage in Haiti continue, Worldwide Foundation will work with ANACAPH to determine a long-range relief campaign through Project Storm Break.
“It is because of the generosity of credit union peers worldwide that we are able to partner with ANACAPH to get these six credit unions up and running again," said Mike Reuter, Executive Director of Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions. “Project Storm Break did its job of responding as quickly as possible post-earthquake in coordinating a short-term relief response with ANACAPH and its member credit unions.”
Along with providing relief from several natural disasters, Project Storm Break funds have also been utilized to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The Worldwide Foundation has worked with credit union associations around the world to deliver 70,000 masks and other types of personal protective equipment to credit unions in more than 30 countries.
Donations to replenish the Project Storm Break fund are appreciated and needed to sustain Worldwide Foundation's relief efforts. Visit Worldwide Foundation’s Project Storm Break page to make a generous contribution.
The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, as the strategic partner of the World Council, bridges gaps impacting credit unions' ability to grow and advance financial inclusion worldwide. Our commitment to provide global credit union journeys augments our shared vision with World Council's of realizing a vibrant and growing global credit union movement. Worldwide Foundation's philanthropy advances World Council's technical capacity to strengthen credit union systems that advance financial inclusion to underserved communities.
World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the apex association for credit unions and other global financial cooperatives. 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 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 74,634 credit unions in 104 countries serve 411 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: gneumann@woccu.org
Phone: +1 608-395-2048
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