No Fee Money Transfer Services to Haiti from the U.S., Canada and France
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To help the victims of Haiti’s deadliest earthquake in more than 200 years, The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a leader in the money transfer segment of global payments, today announced a number of disaster relief efforts in support of Haiti, including: grants; consumer, Agent and employee donation programs; and a "No Transfer Fee" initiative when sending money to Haiti from the U.S., Canada and in France, in cooperation with our Agents.
“The hearts of all Western Union employees go out to everyone affected by this disaster, including to our colleagues with families and friends in Haiti.”
Through its corporate signature program, Our World, Our Family®, The Western Union Company will contribute $150,000 towards disaster relief efforts. The Western Union Foundation will donate an additional $100,000 to help provide basic human relief efforts such as food, safe drinking water, access to sanitation facilities, clothing and temporary shelter through Mercy Corps and Save the Children response teams actively working in Haiti.
Western Union, through its global foundation, has activated its Agent Gift Matching Program in support of Haiti, matching one-for-one Agent donations from around the world. Western Union also is encouraging employee donations to be made directly to the Western Union Foundation in support of the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. All employee donations will be matched one-to-one.
Additionally, The Western Union Company has set up a special account in the U.S. – MERCYCORPS, OR – benefitting Mercy Corps in support of disaster relief efforts in Haiti. Consumers in the U.S. can donate by sending a no fee money transfer directed to the Mercy Corps account, for up to $5,000 over the next 30 days by visiting a Western Union Agent location or online at www.westernunion.com.
"The damages in Haiti are catastrophic, leaving the country in need of immediate support," said Stewart A. Stockdale, executive vice president and president, The Americas. "The hearts of all Western Union employees go out to everyone affected by this disaster, including to our colleagues with families and friends in Haiti."
Western Union also is launching a "No Transfer Fee" pricing action for any amount sent to Haiti from the United States, Canada and France. The "No Transfer Fee" initiative will run for a period of seven days, once service is reestablished throughout the country, when sending money to Haiti from the U.S., Canada and in France, in cooperation with our Agents.
Remittances will be vital in offering emergency support to families and friends. Western Union is actively working together with its Agents in Haiti and throughout the region to help facilitate the delivery of services in a fast, reliable and convenient manner during this time of need.
“Western Union is working closely with our dear friend Wyclef Jean and his charitable organization Yéle Haiti to help raise global awareness of post disaster relief efforts in Haiti,” concluded Stockdale.
Western Union, through its corporate signature program Our World, Our Family®, recently announced a $225,000 donation to Wyclef's charitable organization, Yéle Haiti www.yele.org, to support education projects in his native country of Haiti. A portion of the grant will be used to support rebuilding efforts, primarily in the areas of education and vocational training.
Western Union is committed to fostering hope in the developing world by creating a dialogue about issues that impact our consumers and our global community.
Western Union is not charging a transfer fee, however the conversion of currency may result in a foreign exchange gain. Western Union pays out in US dollars in Haiti.
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta and Pago Facil branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta operate through a combined network of more than 400,000 Agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2008, The Western Union Company completed 188 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $74 billion of principal between consumers, and 412 million consumer-to-business transactions. 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 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 $57 million in grants and disaster relief to over 1,900 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 100 countries. For more information, visit http://foundation.westernunion.com.
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps helps people in the world's toughest places turn 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 http://www.mercycorps.org.
About Save the Children
Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 29 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 120 countries. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. WU-G
