The
Western Union Company and The Western Union Foundation today
launched a million-dollar global business challenge to help fight the
Ebola outbreak, and announced a multi-faceted program in support of
community relief efforts.
“We are committed to helping the global communities we serve,” said
Western Union President and Chief Executive Officer Hikmet Ersek.
“Western Union encourages its Agents, Business Solutions clients, and
other global business leaders to join us in supporting the people of
West Africa during this time of need.”
Western Union Foundation Grants and Global Challenge:
Western Union is urging Western Union® Agents, Western Union Business
Solutions clients and the entire global business community to drive
donations toward Ebola relief efforts by providing a 1:1 match to all
charitable donations supporting International Medical Corps and Save the
Children to reach a total of $1 million in support. The Western Union
Foundation match, up to $500,000, will benefit the International Medical
Corps to support the treatment of current Ebola patients and training of
local health-care workers, and Save the Children to support the
diagnosis and early treatment of Ebola at the community level.
Western Union Consumer Activation:
Consumers worldwide also can donate online at www.westernunionfoundation.org,
by clicking “Donate Now” and selecting “Ebola Outbreak Relief.” Donors
may direct funds to either International Medical Corps or Save the
Children.
In the United States, Western Union also has set up a no-fee Payments
contribution account benefiting the American Red Cross to support Ebola
relief efforts in West Africa. Donors in the United States can
contribute by making a no-fee* Payments transaction at
participating Western Union Agent locations, directed to the account, up
to $5,000.
Donors need to complete the blue section on the Western Union form at
retail Agent locations using company name “American Red Cross;”
code city “REDCROSS DC;” and account number “Ebola Relief.”
Western Union Foundation President Patrick Gaston added, “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.”
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 September 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 and kiosks. 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