Western Union and the Western Union Foundation Respond to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Western Union Company today announced a multi-faceted response program that will provide support for disaster relief efforts to support communities most affected by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Western Union Foundation Grant

The Western Union Foundation is making a grant of US$25,000 to the International Medical Corps to support the organization's response actions, which includes teams of trainers traveling in affected areas of Sierra Leone and Liberia to increase the number of trained, frontline healthcare workers equipped with the skills needed to manage the disease, and also to train communities on prevention.

International Consumer Activation

In countries where the service is available, Western Union is enabling consumers to give to the American Red Cross as part of a “no transfer fee” program using the Payments Service to support international Ebola relief efforts in West Africa. Consumers can contribute by making a no-fee* Payments transaction at participating Western Union Agent locations, directed to the American Red Cross, up to US$5,000.

Consumers should complete the blue section on the Western Union form at retail locations, using the company name “American Red Cross” and the code city, “REDCROSS DC.” Please write “Disaster Relief” as the account number.

Western Union Employee and Agent Activation

To encourage additional philanthropy, the Western Union Foundation will match two-for-one employee donations, through October 17, 2014, made to the Western Union Foundation directed toward the Ebola Outbreak Response, up to a total match of $25,000. Employees and consumers worldwide can give online at www.westernunionfoundation.org, but clicking “Donate Now” and selecting “Ebola Outbreak Relief.” Funds will go to the International Medical Corps.

Western Union is also encouraging its Agents in the region to join together in supporting relief efforts. Under the Western Union Foundation Gift Matching program, the Foundation will provide a dollar-for-dollar match of qualifying Agent contributions to NGOs responding to the Ebola Outbreak.

“We are committed to helping the communities we serve, and our thoughts are with the people of West Africa, during this time of need,” said Patrick Gaston, president, Western Union Foundation.

“The devastating Ebola outbreak is disrupting schools, businesses and daily life for people throughout the region. We are responding by supporting services that will help to curtail the spread of the disease by educating communities about prevention and equipping medical personnel with skills to fight Ebola.”

*Western Union also makes money from currency exchange.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company 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 June 30, 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. In 2013, The Western Union Company completed 242 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $82 billion of principal between consumers, and 459 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 $98.5 million in grants and other giving. These funds have been pledged to more than 2,729 nongovernmental organizations in more than 133 countries and territories. The Western Union Foundation, is a separate §501(c)(3) recognized United States charity. To learn more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org.

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