One year after Nepal"s worst earthquake in 80 years, hope has been restored to the country"s credit unions, known as Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS).
Nearly 9,000 lives were lost and more than 900,000 homes damaged in the earthquake. The
Nepal Federation of Saving and Credit Cooperative Union Limited (NEFSCUN) estimates more than 600 members died. Although the earthquake
damaged many SACCO buildings, greater challenges arose in conducting regular operational activities and transactions for members. Thousands of memberswho depend on livestock and agriculturewere devastated by the deaths of relatives and loss of land and farming equipment
In collaboration with development partners and support from individual and credit union contributions, the Worldwide Foundation provided NEFSCUN with a $US175,000 grant to repair building structures, replace equipment and train management officers in disaster recovery.
NEFSCUN focused on three restoration stages: rehabilitation, rebuilding, and adjustment. Beyond branch reconstruction, rehabilitation efforts included psychological counseling services to NEFSCUN staff and members. SACCOS also offered financial literacy training and assisted members in their plans for rebuilding livelihoods.
Worldwide Foundation"s Impact, by the Numbers:
- 220 SACCOS received essential basic operating office equipment, software support, stationaries, relocation support, lost information recovery assistance, and soft loan support.
- 41 SACCOS were physically repaired and reconstructed.
- 41 SACCOS received technical training on financial literacy outreach to members, governance, and quality assurance assistance.
- 23 cooperative managers and NEFSCUN officers received psychological training. These managers were equipped to counsel members and assist with financial literacy training.
- 21 SACCO members received technical construction training and assisted with rebuilding efforts.
- 47 cooperative members received first aid training and attended to other wounded members.
- 25 NEFSCUN board members received training on strategic planning and direction.
- The implementation of rehabilitation and rebuilding activities took place in 14 districts of Nepal.
To support World Council's disaster fund, donations via check, credit card or wire may be sent to:The World Council's rebuilding and reconstruction efforts in Nepal are now complete. Over the past six years, the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions has delivered over $US2 million in aid to credit union organizations affected by natural disasters in Chile, Haiti, El Salvador, Malawi, Philippines, and Nepal.
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, Inc.
5710 Mineral Point Road
Madison, WI 53705, USA
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.
World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 57,000 credit unions in 105 countries serve 217 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.
