Co-ops urged to channel donations through DEC

CO-OPERATIVES UK Chief Executive and General Secretary Pauline Green is urging retail societies and all member organisations to support the UK-wide Disasters Emergency Committee appeal in the wake...

CO-OPERATIVES UK Chief Executive and General Secretary Pauline Green is urging retail societies and all member organisations to support the UK-wide Disasters Emergency Committee appeal in the wake of the tsunami tragedy in south east Asia.

In a message circulated to Co-ops UK members within a few days of the disaster taking place, Dame Pauline commented: "The nature and scale of the earthquake disaster that has hit countries in Asia and some in Africa has touched people all over the world during the festive season.

"I am sure many co-operative societies will wish to make a financial donation to help the worldwide efforts to combat the immediate effects of the tsunami."
Added Dame Pauline: "Co-operatives UK normally acts as the co-ordinating body for the Movement&#039s response in the UK to major international disasters. However, as speed is clearly of the essence to ensure that medical supplies, fresh water, food and shelter are available for survivors, and to minimise deaths from disease, it is likely that many of you have responded during Christmas to the immediate and urgent appeals made by the Disasters Emergency Committee.

"This is by far the most rapid method to make your support count. Co-operatives UK would, however, like to gather information about the level of financial response from co-operatives in the United Kingdom, and also look to the longer term by developing a co-operative fund for the regeneration of the affected areas once the immediate life and death crisis has eased.

"Co-operatives UK would seek to work with the International Co-operative Alliance in securing the most appropriate use for such a co-operative fund."

Dame Pauline says it would be helpful if contributing societies and organisations could notify Co-operatives UK by email or by post of donations made or pledged to the disaster fund.

Donations earmarked for the longer term co-operative redevelopment of the region should be forwarded to Co-operatives UK&#039s Manchester headquarters.
Dame Pauline adds: "I thank you in advance for your support for what is clearly one of the world&#039s worst natural disasters in living memory, and I look forward to hearing from you."

Donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee can be made by telephone on 0870 60 60 900, or online at www.dec.org.uk.

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