Principal Agents Contribute Additional Rs 300,000 Each
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Oct 12, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Western Union Foundation is pledging immediate support to flood victims in Southern India, with a $50,000 USD grant to leading international relief agency World Vision. Additionally, Western Union's Principal Agents Weizmann Forex and Paul Merchants Limited have also donated Rs 300,000 each to support relief efforts being led by World Vision.
World Vision has worked in India for 50 years and has already mobilized a comprehensive response to meet the needs of 100,000 survivors. The funds will help provide family emergency relief kits, cooked food and shelter materials.
Flooding in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka has killed hundreds of people and left an estimated 1.5 million more homeless. Many farmers are suffering from failed harvests or crops destroyed by floodwaters. Now, massive food shortages could set back ongoing humanitarian work by years, warns World Vision.
"This is unlike anything this part of India has experienced in 100 years," said Anil Kapur, Senior Vice President, South and Southeast Asia, Western Union. "Our priority is to help World Vision deliver food to the hungry and help families recover from the devastation. Along with our Agents Paul Merchants Limited and Weizmann Forex and the entire Western union family, we would like to express our deepest sympathy to citizens affected by this calamity."
"This flooding is having a catastrophic impact, leaving children and families in need of help," said Luella Chavez D'Angelo, President, The Western Union Foundation. "Our Agents in India know the value of working together and combining resources to make a difference."
"Rates of malnourishment are already extremely high in India," said Jayakumar Christian, National Director, World Vision India. "Recent droughts and now flooding are pushing families to the very edge. What is needed is a coordinated response to make sure food aid gets through. The response of the Western Union Foundation and Western Union Agents will make a difference for those who need it most."
About Western Union:
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta and Pago Facil branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta operate through a combined network of more than 385,000 Agent locations in 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 World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. World Vision serves the world's poor - regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.org/press.
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SOURCE: Western Union
Western Union
Anna Alejo, +1 720-332-3884
anna.alejo@WesternUnion.com
or
World Vision
Rachel E. L. Wolff, +1 253-815-2072
Mobile: +1 253-394-2214
Media Relations Director, International News/Emergency Relief
Skype: globalwolff
Twitter: WorldVisionNews
or
Karen Kartes, +1 253-815-2163
Mobile: +1 206-351-4315
Media Relations Director, CSR & US Programs
Skype: Kkartes