The Caribbean credit union movement donated US$115 000 to Caribbean credit unions, the WHO Office for the Regions of the Americas – the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. The funds will be used to procure and distribute personal protective equipment (PPE), gear and test kits to support frontline credit union staff in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. This donation is particularly important for the Caribbean because its countries depend on importation of equipment and supplies. The majority of the Caribbean Credit Union members are first responders. PAHO/WHO maintains constant contact with member states from the Caribbean to ensure that supplies are distributed to those countries with the most need. Funds are still being collected for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund to support WHO’s work in responses to the pandemic.
The Caribbean credit union movement, comprises over 200 Credit Unions in seventeen English speaking countries and serves over 2.4 million members. Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives, offering similar services as other financial institutions, but with a distinct inclusiveness and people-first philosophy.
Read the full PAHO/AMRO story on the Caribbean credit union movement’s donationRead more about WHO’s response to COVID-19