More Than 10,000 People Are Living in Shelters and over 1,700 Homes Were Damaged
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, Nov 19, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- To help the victims of Hurricane Ida in El Salvador, the Western Union Foundation today donated $10,000 to Mercy Corps. The grant is part of the Western Union Our World, Our Family(R) global initiative and it will enable Mercy Corps to provide support to local NGOs responding to the disaster, including the Asociacion para el Desarrollo Humano (ADHU), a humanitarian organization that promotes human development through economic opportunities.
ADHU is a local partner in El Salvador for Mercy Corps, a global relief and development organization with a history of quick and efficient responses to disasters and their aftermath. Mercy Corps and ADHU partnered in response to the 2001 earthquakes in El Salvador to rebuild 1,001 local houses for victims of the quakes and subsequent landslides.
"Hurricane Ida's aftermath has left thousands of families homeless. The scene of destruction is devastating and we hope to mitigate the impact on those families who are facing such a difficult time," said Luella Chavez D'Angelo, Western Union Foundation President. "Through Mercy Corps and ADHU, the funds will be used to do a quick impact assessment of current priority needs and then provide food and household goods including mattresses, bedding, cooking kits, diapers, and clothing to support families and children most affected."
Civil protection officials said that more than 14,000 people lost their homes, some 1,800 homes were damaged or destroyed and 18 bridges and many roads were washed away by the floods.
"With the Western Union Foundation funds, Mercy Corps will select local NGO partners to work with on the ground, implement a quick impact assessment of current priority needs, and then mobilize and purchase the items most needed for distribution," stated Kathy Fry, Mercy Corps Regional Program Director for Latin America.
Western Union's Our World, Our Family(R), is a five-year, US$50 million initiative to empower migrant workers and their families through education and global economic opportunity programs.
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) is a leader in global money transfer services. Together with its Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded money transfer services, Western Union provide consumers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. It operates through a combined network of more than 400,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services the original Western Union dates back to 1851. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com
About The Western Union Foundation
Through Western Union's Our World, Our Family(R) signature program, the Western Union Foundation supports initiatives to empower individuals, families and communities through access to better education and economic opportunity. Recognized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy in 2009, the program is a five year, $50 million commitment reflecting the efforts made by Western Union employees, Agents, and partners around the world. Since its inception, the Western Union Foundation has awarded almost $55 million in grants and disaster relief to over 1,870 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 100 countries. For more information, visit http://foundation.westernunion.com
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps helps people in the world's toughest places turn crises of natural disaster, poverty and conflict into opportunities for progress. Driven by local needs and market conditions, our programs provide communities with the tools and support they need to transform their own lives. Our worldwide team of 3,700 professionals is improving the lives of 16.7 million people in more than 40 countries. For more information, visit http://www.mercycorps.org.
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SOURCE: Western Union Foundation
Western Union
Douglas Sanchez, 011-506-8830-8472
Douglas.sanchez@intl.westernunion.com