Western Union Commits $100,000 to Flood Relief Efforts in Pakistan

Western Union Commits $100,000 to Flood Relief Efforts in Pakistan

Initiates No Fee Money Transfer Services to Pakistan from the United States, United Kingdom and Select Countries in Middle East.

August 18, 2010 1:32 by Rasha Reslan

DUBAI, UAE – August 15, 2010 – 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.

“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.