The island of Vanuatu was devastated by cyclone Pam, which struck the island nation on 13 March 2015, with winds of 155mph. While the entire nation was affected, co-operatives in particular were devastated and suffered immense damages in terms of building, stock and loss of income. It is estimated the losses are in the range of $180,000.
Members of co-operatives in Vanuatu have not been waiting for support, but are providing cash benefits to the worst affected provinces to allow members to get back on their feet. According to Registrar of Cooperatives and Acting Director of Cooperatives Ridley Joseph, “I thank them for upholding Principle Number 7 and appeal to other cooperatives and members of the public to get into a co-operative type of business; be it a workers’ co-operative, housing co-operative, transport co-operative or savings and loans cooperative or a kind of cooperative that is going to benefit the community. We are going to experience natural disasters every year and the co-operative is one solution to help our people in times of disaster.”
While the co-operatives in Vanuatu are helping themselves to the extent possible, they need assistance from co-operatives across the world to help them recover and rebuild their lives. The International Co-operative Alliance is launching an appeal to rebuild co-operatives in Vanuatu. You can send your contributions to the International Co-operative Alliance at:
Beneficiary account: ACI Solidarité
Bank address : KBC - Place Dailly 3 - 1030 Brussels – Belgium
IBAN: BE28 7340 3825 7920
BIC: KREDBEBB
Important! Include this mention with your payment: VANUATU
Thank you for your valuable support!
About ORCBDS
The Office of the Registrar of Cooperatives and Business Development Services (ORCBDS) became a member of the Alliance in early 2015, shortly before the Cyclone struck. ORCBDS is a government department established to assist with rural economic development. Vanuatu has a Cooperative Act that mandates ORCBDS to assist and promote business activities for co-operative societies and its members. Their mission is to “facilitate sustainable and strong growth in co-operative business and to advance the interests of Vanuatu citizens both domestically and internationally by:
- Promoting the increase of rural savings and investment through co-operative savings and loans societies
- Encouraging the establishment and diversification of Ni-Vanuatu businesses
- And supporting co-operative societies by providing advisory and business appraisal services.
