ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Mar 14, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- To help the survivors of a devastating earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan on March 11, The Western Union Foundation today announced a $50,000 contribution to the international nonprofit organization Mercy Corps in support of Peace Winds Japan, their local partner.

On March 14, Peace Winds Japan flew in 30 family-sized tents for homeless survivors in Kesennuma, and materials to construct a 100-person shelter. Peace Winds is also working to deliver other essential items that are in short supply, including food, water, blankets and medicine.

"The entire family of Western Union employees and Agents has been deeply moved by the suffering and loss of life in Japan and is working together to offer assistance," said Luella Chavez D'Angelo, President, The Western Union Foundation.

The Western Union Company has set up a special account to enable consumers in the U.S. to support disaster-relief efforts in Japan. Consumers can donate to Mercy Corps by sending a no- fee money transfer using the Western Union^(R) Quick Collect^(R) service (code city: Japan Relief, CO) through a participating Western Union Agent location. Individuals can send up to $5,000 over the next 30 days, concluding April 14, 2011.

The Western Union Foundation also initiated a Japan Earthquake Relief Fund to match donations from Western Union employees. Contributions will be matched two-for-one for U.S. based employees, and three-for-one for all other company employees around the world.

"We have been monitoring the situation closely since the earthquake took place, and will continue to do so," said Douglas Lorentz, Regional Vice President, Western Union North Asia. "Western Union recognizes the need to balance immediate relief with longer-term rebuilding, and will work with our Agents on the ground, local government organizations and NGOs, as needed, to offer support over time."

Western Union Money Transfer^(R) services are valued by international workers in Japan sending money to family and loved ones overseas, as well as Japanese diaspora sending money home.

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. The Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta-branded services are offered through a combined network of 445,000 Agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2010, The Western Union Company completed 214 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $76 billion of principal between consumers, and 405 million business payments. 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 people through access to economic opportunity. Recognized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy in 2009, the program is a five-year, $50 million commitment reflecting efforts made by Western Union employees, agents and partners around the world. Since its inception, the Western Union Foundation has awarded more than $71.7 million in grants to more than 2010 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 104 countries and territories. To learn more, visit foundation.westernunion.com.

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps helps people in the world's toughest places turn the 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 www.mercycorps.org.

About Peace Winds Japan

Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) is an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization), dedicated to the support of people in distress, threatened by conflict, poverty, or other turmoil. With its headquarters in Japan, PWJ has been active in various parts of the world. The basic concept of PWJ has been "to provide necessary support to people in need" since its establishment in l996. Beyond national boundaries, PWJ has carried out support activities for refugees who fled their countries, domestic refugees who suffer in their own countries, disaster victims and poverty-stricken people, regardless of their ethnic background, political stance, religion or faith. For more information, visit: www.peace-winds.org/en.

WU-F, WU-G

SOURCE: Western Union

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