Heart of England Co-operative Society donates £5,000 to disaster emergency fund

The Heart of England Co-operative Society has awarded £5,000 to international communities devastated by the recent hurricanes, storms and floods.

The money – from the Society’s Helping Hearts Awards Scheme – will be used to support the development of co-operatives in disaster-hit areas in South East Asia and the Caribbean.

Specifically it will be used to the reconstruction of communities, allowing inhabitants to rebuild their lives, businesses and livelihoods.

The Society is among the first co-operatives across the UK donating to the emergency appeal which will work with co-operatives on the ground, enabling communities to rebuild towards long-term sustainability.

Nationally the appeal has raised close to £90,000 and the International Co-operative Alliance is calling formore donations worldwide.

Ali Kurji, Chief Executive of the Heart of England Co-operative Society, said: “The recent disasters have had a devastating effect – wiping out lives, homes and livelihoods.

“In the spirit of mutual aid every penny donated from the UK’s co-operative movement will enable our counterparts in South East Asia and the Caribbean to help those affected by these tragedies to start again – rebuilding their lives and communities over the long term.”

The Society is one of several co-operatives so far to give to the appeal. Others include Co-operative Bank, Co-op Group, Leeds Environmental Design Associates, Co-op Culture and CASE.

Last month’s floods killed more than 1,200 people in South East Asia and affected an estimated 40 million others, while photos from NASA show the loss of vegetation and general devastation suffered by the Caribbean following hurricane Irma.

The Caribbean was later hit by hurricane Maria which caused further devastation, including ripping the roof off Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt’s residence.

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