The
Western Union Company today announced a multi-faceted response
program that will provide support for disaster relief efforts to support
communities most affected by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Western Union Foundation Grant
The Western Union Foundation is making a grant of US$25,000 to the
International Medical Corps to support the organization’s response
actions, which includes teams of trainers traveling in affected areas of
Sierra Leone and Liberia to increase the number of trained, frontline
healthcare workers equipped with the skills needed to manage the
disease, and also to train communities on prevention.
International Consumer Activation
In countries where the service is available, Western Union is enabling
consumers to give to the American Red Cross as part of a “no transfer
fee” program using the Payments Service to support international Ebola
relief efforts in West Africa. Consumers can contribute by making a
no-fee* Payments transaction at participating Western Union Agent
locations, directed to the American Red Cross, up to US$5,000.
Consumers should complete the blue section on the Western Union form at
retail locations, using the company name “American Red Cross” and
the code city, “REDCROSS DC.” Please write “Disaster Relief”
as the account number.
Western Union Employee and Agent Activation
To encourage additional philanthropy, the Western Union Foundation will
match two-for-one employee donations, through October 17, 2014, made to
the Western Union Foundation directed toward the Ebola Outbreak
Response, up to a total match of $25,000. Employees and consumers
worldwide can give online at www.westernunionfoundation.org,
but clicking “Donate Now” and selecting “Ebola Outbreak Relief.” Funds
will go to the International Medical Corps.
Western Union is also encouraging its Agents in the region to join
together in supporting relief efforts. Under the Western Union
Foundation Gift Matching program, the Foundation will provide a
dollar-for-dollar match of qualifying Agent contributions to NGOs
responding to the Ebola Outbreak.
“We are committed to helping the communities we serve, and our thoughts
are with the people of West Africa, during this time of need,” said
Patrick Gaston, president, Western Union Foundation.
“The devastating Ebola outbreak is disrupting schools, businesses and
daily life for people throughout the region. We are responding by
supporting services that will help to curtail the spread of the disease
by educating communities about prevention and equipping medical
personnel with skills to fight Ebola.”
*Western Union also makes money from currency exchange.
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment
services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western
Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union
provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient
ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to
purchase money orders. As of June 30, 2014, the Western Union, Vigo and
Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network
of over 500,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and
over 100,000 ATMs. In 2013, The Western Union Company completed 242
million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $82 billion
of principal between consumers, and 459 million business payments. For
more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
About the Western Union Foundation
The Western Union Foundation is dedicated to creating a better world,
where the ability to realize dreams through economic opportunity is not
just a privilege for the few but a right for all. Through its signature
program, Education for Better, and with the support of The Western Union
Company, its employees, Agents, and business partners, The Western Union
Foundation works to realize this vision by supporting education and
disaster relief efforts as pathways toward a better future. Our combined
social ventures efforts make life better for individuals, families and
communities around the world. Since its inception, The Western Union
Foundation has paid more than $98.5 million in grants and other giving.
These funds have been pledged to more than 2,729 nongovernmental
organizations in more than 133 countries and territories. The Western
Union Foundation, is a separate §501(c)(3) recognized United States
charity. To learn more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org.
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Copyright Business Wire 2014