ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Western Union Company today announced a multi-faceted response that leverages its broad connectivity, retail, online, Agents and people to provide support for families and communities most affected by the earthquake in Nepal.
International Consumer Activation:
For consumers sending money to family and loved ones in Nepal, from now until the 14th of May 2015, Western Union will activate a no-fee* money transfer transaction program from participating Western Union Agent locations in the: United States, Europe, Syria, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Maldives, China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Turkey, Israel and Lebanon, all countries with a concentration of Nepali diaspora.
Consumers who use Western Union online services and mobile applications to send money, where available, can also avail of no-fee* transactions to Nepal until 31st of May 2015. Online consumers will need to use the promotion code NEPALRELIEF2015.
Western Union Foundation Charitable Contributions:
The Western Union Foundation is committing US$200,000 to support the relief efforts through discretionary and matching grants in partnership with WU employees, Agents, and business customers.
The Western Union Foundation will provide a dollar-for-dollar match of qualifying contributions from Western Union Agents, business customers and other business partners; and 2:1 employee donations to NGOs providing disaster relief.
The Western Union Foundation will contribute a portion of the relief funding to Mercy Corps. The Mercy Corps response team is currently prioritizing efforts to provide shelter, food and water.
“We are committed to helping the communities we serve. Our thoughts are with the people of Nepal and the Nepali diaspora community around the world, during this time of need,” said Western Union Chief Executive Officer, Hikmet Ersek. “In addition to immediate response, we will be working with Western Union Agents, employees and nonprofit partners to provide additional support for long-term initiatives that will help the area recover and rebuild.”
Western Union Foundation President, Patrick Gaston, added, “The earthquake in Nepal has caused widespread devastation with significant loss of life, injury and unprecedented damage to property. The Western Union Foundation is responding with support for relief efforts, including programs that provide meals, shelter and clean drinking water to families and children most affected.”
*Western Union makes money on the exchange of currencies.
Due to the severity of the earthquake, some Western Union Agent locations in Nepal may not be immediately operational or possess sufficient funds.
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 December 31, 2014, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of over 500,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and over 100,000 ATMs and kiosks. In 2014, The Western Union Company completed 255 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $85 billion of principal between consumers, and 484 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
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. Through its signature program, Education for Better, and 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 paid more than $101.1 million in grants and other giving. These funds have been pledged to more than 2,739 nongovernmental organizations in more than 135 countries and territories. The Western Union Foundation is a separate §501(c)(3) recognized United States charity. To learn more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org, or Follow us on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.
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