Kerala, India – August 22, 2018
– To support communities and families affected by monsoon flooding in
Kerala,
The Western Union Company
(NYSE: WU) a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement,
and the
Western Union Foundation,
today announced a coordinated response involving the company’s employees,
its agents and global non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide
humanitarian relief to people in Kerala. In total, contributions through
this combined effort could total up to US $180,000.
-
Consumer Transactions:
Between August 28, 2018 to September 27, 2018, Western Union will
donate US $1 for each transaction* sent to a Western Union Agent
location in Kerala** from participating Western Union agent locations
across the globe and via WU.com and the Western Union mobile app where
available.
-
Agent Locations Open for Business:
Consumers can be assured that today more than 12,000 Western Union
agent locations in Kerala are currently open and available for those
wishing to send and/or pick-up cash. Western Union is committing to
assist impacted agents in the area with rebuilding efforts.
-
Western Union Foundation Grant: The Western Union
Foundation is committing US $30,000 to
Save the Children
in support of its relief efforts from monsoon flooding in Kerala. Save
the Children is providing aid through programs that provide immediate
distribution of supplies, access to education and shelter to affected
families.
-
Agent and Employee Match Giving:
From August 23, 2018 to September 22, 2018 the Western Union Foundation
will also provide a dollar-for-dollar match of qualifying contributions
from participating Western Union Agents, up to US $30,000. In addition,
it will match employee donations 2:1 for relief efforts in Kerala, up
to US $30,000. Donations can be made directly online
here
or by visiting https://secure.donationpay.org/westernunion/index_new.php.
“We are committed to helping the communities we serve,” Western Union
Regional Vice President, South Asia & Indochina, Sohini Rajola said.
“These contributions will enable organizations to mobilize quickly,
providing critical initiatives for long-term rehabilitation efforts.”
“Our thoughts are with the communities affected by devastating monsoon
flooding in Kerala,” said Western Union Foundation Vice President and
Executive Director, Elizabeth Roscoe. “Our collaborative response with
Western Union and generosity from participating agents will help to provide
health services, education and shelter.”
Western Union and the Western Union Foundation were
at the forefront
of major natural disaster relief efforts, including Hurricane Maria in
Puerto Rico and Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Since 2001, the Western Union
Foundation has donated more than US $17 million for disaster relief, to aid
180 disasters in 80 countries around the world. Last year, the Western
Union Foundation responded to
13 disasters
around the world.
*Western Union also makes money from currency exchange. When choosing a
money transmitter, carefully compare both transfer fees and exchange rates.
Fees, foreign exchange rates and taxes may vary by brand, channel, and
location based on a number of factors. Fees and rates subject to change
without notice.
** Due to the severity of flooding in Kerala, India, some Western Union
agent locations may not be immediately operational or possess sufficient
funds.
# # #
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a global leader in cross-border,
cross-currency money movement. Our omnichannel platform connects the
digital and physical worlds and makes it possible for consumers and
businesses to send and receive money and make payments with speed, ease,
and reliability. As of June 30, 2018, our network included over 550,000
retail agent locations offering Western Union, Vigo or Orlandi Valuta
branded services in more than 200 countries and territories, with the
capability to send money to billions of accounts. Additionally,
westernunion.com, our fastest growing channel in 2017, is available in 45
countries and territories to move money around the world. In 2017, we moved
over $300 billion in principal in nearly 130 currencies and processed 32
transactions every second across all our services. With our global reach,
Western Union moves money for better, connecting family, friends and
businesses to enable financial inclusion and support economic growth. For
more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
About The Western Union Foundation
The Western Union Foundation believes that education is one of the surest
pathways to economic opportunity. Through collaborations with NGOs around
the world, the Foundation has embarked on a five-year mission to connect
50,000 migrants, refugees, women and young people to the global economy
through demand-driven skills training and workforce enablement programs by
2020. The Foundation also offers a global scholarship program that helps
put a post-secondary education in reach for in-need students studying in
the STEM fields and business. To date, more than $117 million has been
given to fund projects affecting more than 800,000 people in 137 countries
across the globe, including humanitarian relief for communities in crisis.
The Western Union Foundation is a separate charitable corporation that is
tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code, and receives
support from The Western Union Company, its employees, agents and business
partners. Contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible for US income
tax purposes. To learn more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org or follow
us on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.
Source:
The Western Union Company and The Western Union Foundation
Western Union Media Contact:
Ingrid Sahu
+97 14 437-3600
Ingrid.Sahu@westernunion.com
Western Union Foundation Media Contact:
Rachel Rogala
+1-720-332-2686
Rachel.Rogala@westernunion.com