The Co-operative Bank has launched an emergency fundraising appeal with the Disasters Emergency Committee to help raise funds for those affected by the Myanmar earthquake.

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake devastated large areas of Myanmar on 28 March and the death toll continues to rise.

The partnership between Co-operative Bank and DEC will see the bank support DEC’s campaign to rapidly raise funds overseas.

The bank, which forms part of DEC’s Rapid Response Networking, is helping to raise additional funds for DEC through JustGiving, following an initial £10,000 donation.

A group of media and corporate partners all form the Rapid Response Network – helping to make it possible for the DEC to launch emergency appeals at very short notice.

The Co-operative Bank proudly joined the Network in 2023, mobilising its highly effective outreach to customers and colleagues through branches, offices, email, online banking and through the mobile app.

“The support of The Co-operative Bank, as an important member of our Rapid Response Network of corporate supporters, is paramount to the success of our emergency fundraising appeals, driving vital donations through a variety of channels,” DEC director of fundraising and marketing, Simon Beresford said.

“We’re proud to have worked with The Co-operative Bank for many years, and we’re so grateful for the continued generosity shown by its customers and colleagues towards DEC appeals, including now for the urgent aid response required in Myanmar.”

The Co-operative Bank head of corporate affairs, Angela Catlin added: “We’re incredibly proud to be members of the DEC’s Rapid Response Network. At a time of global uncertainty, where the impacts of climate change and conflict has an inordinate impact on the resilience of many countries to respond to the needs of their citizens, support for fundraising appeals has rarely been so important.”

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