Initiates No Fee Money Transfer Services to Pakistan from the United States, United Kingdom and Select Countries in Middle East
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Friday, August 13th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- To help the victims of Pakistan’s natural disaster of heavy rains and flooding affecting upwards of 14 million people, The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), today announced a number of disaster relief efforts in support of Pakistan, including: grants; consumer, Agent and employee donation programs; and a no transfer fee* initiative when sending money to Pakistan from the U.S., UK and select countries in the Middle East, in cooperation with our Agents.
Through The Western Union Company’s corporate signature program, Our World, Our Family®, The Western Union Foundation will contribute $100,000 towards disaster relief efforts to provide victims with basic necessities such as safe drinking water, temporary shelter, clothing and access to sanitation facilities through the International Rescue Committee (IRC) response teams actively working in Pakistan.
Western Union also is launching no transfer fees for any amount sent to Pakistan from the United States, United Kingdom and select countries in the Middle East including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, from participating locations. The no transfer fee initiative will run for a period of one month, starting August 12, 2010 and ending September 12, 2010. The Western Union® network in Pakistan is up and running in the country, allowing consumers to send money to Pakistan in this time of great need.
Western Union, through its global foundation, has activated its Agent Gift Matching Program in support of Pakistan, matching one-to-one Agent donations from around the world up to $100,000. Western Union also is encouraging employee donations to be made directly to the Western Union Foundation in support of the Pakistan Flood Relief Fund. All employee donations will be matched two-to-one in the United States and three-to-one outside of the United States.
Additionally, The Western Union Foundation has set up a special account in the U.S. –utilizing the following code city: WUFOUNDATIONDENVER, CO – to support disaster relief efforts in Pakistan. Consumers in the U.S. can donate by sending a no fee money transfer directed to the Western Union Foundation account, for up to $5,000 until September 12, by visiting a participating Western Union Agent location or online at www.westernunion.com.
“We recognize the dire circumstances of the displaced Pakistanis following the worst flooding in the country’s history,” said Jean Claude Farah, Senior Vice President for Middle East and Africa, Western Union. “By supporting the work of the IRC and encouraging donations we are supporting the relief efforts to improve the situation for millions of people. We want to do our part to help the community.”
“The damages in Pakistan and the need for support are immeasurable,” said Luella Chavez D’Angelo, President, The Western Union Foundation. “We are working with organizations to provide disaster relief in Pakistan. Our thoughts are with those affected by this disaster.”
Remittances will be vital in offering emergency support to families and friends. Western Union is actively working together with its Agents in Pakistan and throughout the region to help facilitate the delivery of services in a fast, reliable and convenient manner.
* IN ADDITION TO THE TRANSFER FEE, WESTERN UNION ALSO MAKES MONEY WHEN IT CHANGES YOUR DOLLARS INTO FOREIGN CURRENCY.
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 Custom House branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. The Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services are offered through a combined network of approximately 430,000 Agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2009, The Western Union Company completed 196 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $71 billion of principal between consumers, and 415 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
About The Western Union Foundation
Through Western Union's Our World, Our Family® 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 over $63 million in grants and disaster relief to over 1,900 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 100 countries. For more information, visit http://foundation.westernunion.com.
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