MADISON, Wis.—Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) said it is activating a new global solidarity appeal to support recovery efforts in Sri Lanka and Vietnam, where recent storms and flooding have caused severe destruction to communities and cooperative financial institutions.
Sri Lanka: Cyclone Ditwah
The Worldwide Foundations said Cyclone Ditwah triggered catastrophic flooding, landslides and large-scale displacement—marking Sri Lanka’s worst natural disaster in twenty years.
“Members and staff of the SANASA cooperative network have seen homes, livelihoods and access to financial services gravely affected,” the foundation said.
Working with the Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU) and the SANASA Federation, WFCU said it aims to advance efforts to:
- Rebuild damaged cooperative offices and community facilities.
- Restore essential financial services and emergency lending.
- Support livelihood recovery for small businesses and farmers.
- Strengthen long-term resilience through training and digital tools.
Vietnam: Storm-After-Storm Impact on People’s Credit Funds
In 2025, Vietnam faced 19 consecutive storms and tropical depressions, resulting in “storm-after-storm and flood-after-flood” conditions across all three regions of the country, according to the foundation, which added the disasters led to 409 deaths and missing persons, 727 injuries and more than $3.5 billion in economic losses.
“Many People’s Credit Funds (PCFs)—essential providers of community-level financial services—suffered extensive damage to offices, equipment and infrastructure,” the foundation stated. “While Co-opBank, the apex bank of the PCF system, has mobilized available resources, the scale of damage requires broader assistance.”
In coordination with ACCU, WFCU said it is seeking to provide:
- Financial support to affected PCFs and their members.
- Restoration of essential systems and facilities.
- Recovery assistance to help communities rebuild livelihoods.
- Building on Recent Jamaica Response
Follows Support for Jamaica
The WFCU said its new Asia-focused appeal follows its recent response in Jamaica, where global donors—with special appreciation to the TruStage Foundation, the philanthropic arm of TruStage—enabled WFCU to deploy $50,000 to the Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League (JCCUL) and $25,000 to the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU). These funds are helping purchase Starlink units and solar generator kits so credit unions can restore operations and reconnect with members after Hurricane Melissa.
A Call to Global Cooperative Solidarity
“As we saw in Jamaica, when disaster strikes, the global credit union family comes together,” WFCU President Mike Reuter said in a statement. “Now our colleagues in Sri Lanka and Vietnam urgently need that same solidarity.”
WFCU said it invites credit unions, partners and supporters worldwide to contribute to the Sri Lanka and Vietnam recovery efforts. Every donation helps restore stability, financial inclusion and hope for affected communities.
