Western Union Supports Disaster Relief Initiatives in Bangladesh

As a humanitarian gesture toward cyclone relief efforts in Bangladesh, Western Union is launching a "No Transfer Fee"(1) Pricing Action for any amount sent to Bangladesh from Italy, the United Kingdom, the U.S.A., Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.(2) The initiative will run from Nov. 27, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2007 in the U.S. and from Dec. 1, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2007 in the United Kingdom, Italy, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Remittances will be vital in offering emergency support on top of relief efforts by the Government of Bangladesh, UN agencies and various NGOs to the victims of Cyclone Sidr.

Moreover, The Western Union Foundation, a philanthropic organization to facilitate charitable giving programs worldwide, is donating USD 100,000 to UNICEF in its relief response in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, education, child protection and the provision of non-food items.

The Western Union Foundation also is encouraging employee donations through the Western Union Employee Gift Matching Program. The Western Union Foundation will match registered employee donations to UNICEF on a one-for-one basis, up to USD 25,000.

"The hearts of all Western Union employees go out to the thousands who have been hit by this natural disaster," said Luella Chavez D'Angelo, President, The Western Union Foundation. "We want to help those in need and assist them in putting their lives back together as quickly as possible."

"The impact of Cyclone Sidr on children – who make up almost half of the affected population – is enormous," said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the United States Fund for UNICEF. "Donations such as this will support UNICEF's efforts to save kids' lives and help them to regain a sense of normalcy, and we greatly appreciate Western Union's rapid response."

The Western Union Foundation grant is part of the Western Union Our World, Our Family program, a company initiative to empower migrant families through education and global economic opportunity programs that help them stay connected, overcome barriers, and realize their dreams.

(1) Although there is no transfer fee, Western Union will make money when it converts remittances to a foreign currency.

(2) The fee waiver will also be available for money transfers on westernunion.com originating in the USA and the UK.

About UNICEF

For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world's leading international children's organization, working in over 150 countries to address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency response, saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. While millions of children die every year of preventable causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF, with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of survival. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicefusa.org or call 800 4UNICEF.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company is a leader in global money-transfer services. Together with its affiliates, Orlandi Valuta, Vigo and Pago Facil, 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. It operates through a network of more than 320,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the original Western Union dates back to 1851. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

About The Western Union Foundation

The Western Union Foundation began in 2000 as a philanthropic organization to facilitate charitable giving programs worldwide. Through the donations of the Western Union Company, its employees and Agents, the Foundation helps to fund programs that enhance the quality of life for those most in need around the world.

Since 2001, the Western Union Foundation, in collaboration with Western Union Agents and employees, has granted nearly USD 40 million to more than 1,500 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 70 countries around the globe to support humanitarian projects. In addition, the Foundation has supported more than 50 disaster-relief operations and has funded education and human services programs.

SOURCE: The Western Union Company

The Western Union Company
Sherry Johnson, 720-332-4750
[email protected]
or
UNICEF
Michael Bociurkiw, 646-421-0400
[email protected]