Members of our credit union family are facing natural disasters right now, from tropical storms to hurricanes and wildfires.

When disasters strike, credit unions can find themselves in dire need of assistance with getting branches and systems back online and assisting employees and members.

The National Credit Union Foundation, in collaboration with PSCU, created an app to build upon the CUAid platform, the only national fundraising mechanism for credit union staff and volunteers in times of natural disasters.

The CUAid Disaster Recovery app is designed to help credit unions do four things:

1. Prepare. Evaluate and strengthen your internal recovery plans and join our database of available resources to share with others.

2. Report. Quickly notify the National Credit Union Foundation in the event of a disaster when you need help.

3. Connect. Share or receive needed resources such as generators, mobile branches, etc.

4. Donate to CUAid to help other credit unions in need.

The app serves as a “matching service” for credit unions to seek out and pair with credit unions who can share needed resources. These shared resources enable credit unions to get back up and running faster to serve members.

It’s important now more than ever to maintain the credit union principle of “cooperation among cooperatives” as we continue to adapt and work together during these difficult times.

Download the app and prepare today so you can help yourself and others during disasters.

LACEY YASICK, CUDE, is communications senior manager for the National Credit Union Foundation.