ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The
Western Union Foundation today announced support for disaster relief
efforts that will help the families and communities impacted by the
devastating floods and landslides in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand
in northern India.
The Western Union Foundation is making a grant of $25,000 to the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to support the
organization’s immediate response activities, which include providing
shelter provisions, non-food relief items and safe drinking water to the
thousands of families impacted by the disaster.
To encourage and support employee philanthropy, The Western Union
Company will match two-for-one employee donations through July 12, 2013
to the Western Union Foundation for disaster relief efforts in northern
India. Each employee can donate up to US$25,000 per calendar year.
Employees – and consumers worldwide – can give online by using the “Donate
Now” button at WesternUnionFoundation.org,
and selecting the “India Flood Relief” option.
Western Union is also encouraging its Agents to join together in
supporting relief efforts. Under the Western Union Foundation Agent Gift
Match program, the Foundation will provide a dollar-for-dollar match of
qualifying Agent contributions to NGOs providing disaster relief support
in the impacted region.
"The floods and landslides in northern India have caused significant
damage and loss of life, and recent reports indicate that thousands of
people have died or have been displaced,” said Western Union Foundation
President,
Patrick Gaston
. “As an organization, we are responding with
support and services that will provide food, water and shelter to the
families and children most affected by the disaster.”
“We are committed to helping the communities we serve, and our thoughts
are with the people of India and their families around the world during
this time of need. Over the coming weeks we will work with Western Union
Agents, employees and nonprofit partners to help the area recover and
rebuild,” concluded Gaston.
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. 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 committed more than $86.9
million in grants and other giving to more than 2,627 nongovernmental
organizations in more than 130 countries and territories. To learn more,
visit www.westernunionfoundation.org.
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 March 31, 2013, the Western Union, Vigo and
Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network
of approximately 515,000 Agent locations in 200 countries and
territories and approximately 100,000 ATMs. In 2012, The Western Union
Company completed 231 million consumer-to-consumer transactions
worldwide, moving $79 billion of principal between consumers, and 432
million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
WU-F
Source: Western Union