Bulletins
The Solomon Islands earthquake and tsunami that hit the western province on April 2 2007 has been no exception. Credit unions and their leagues from as far as Jamaica and Texas in the US have contributed to the CUFA/ WOCCU appeal.
Abacus and Cuscal in recognising the importance of the work that needs to be undertaken have also generously contributed to the appeal. Money raised will be used to reconstruct Credit Unions and rebuild credit union members shattered. CUFA’s project staff in the Solomon Islands have informed us that three credit unions in Choiseul along with four Savings Clubs were affected.
In the capital Gizo there were two savings clubs affected. On the outer islands of Big Soltai and Noro Kenarry there were eleven savings clubs and fourteen credit unions affected where many credit union and savings club members have lost their houses and livelihoods due to the devastation caused by the tsunami.
‘The Western and Choiseul Provinces experience one of the worst natural disasters in the country’s history after a massive undersea earthquake sent a tsunami crashing into the provinces destroying most of Gizo's business and killing 20 people. The saddest day in the country's history arrived without notice as Gizo was ripped apart by a giant wave, whilst Choiseul's Sasamuga village was swallowed by a 12 foot wave which penetrated up to 500 metres in-land. And officials expected the news to get worse as more bodies are recovered, where huge waves churned by a massive earthquake wiped two villages. An eyewitness told the Solomon Star, that Gizo has turned into ruins and the once beautiful town is in chaos. All I can see are falling buildings and canoes are grounded on the shore, there wasn't any warning apart from the earth tremors, It's shook us very very strongly and we were frightened, and all of a sudden the sea was rising up.’ (Solomon Star Newspaper)
As more information becomes available we will post it on the CUFA website: www.cufa.com.au
© Credit Union Foundation Australia 2006 - 2008