MILAN–(BUSINESS WIRE)– The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) and the Western Union Foundation today announced a multi-faceted response involving Western Union employees, individuals, Agents, business customers and other business partners to provide support for families and communities most affected in Italy by this week’s earthquake.
The Western Union Foundation is committing an initial US$ 50,000 to Save the Children. From August 25, 2016 through September 09, the Foundation will also provide a dollar-for-dollar match of qualifying contributions from Western Union Agents, business customers and other business partners to NGOs providing disaster relief support in the impacted region. In addition, it will match employee donations 2:1 to NGOs providing disaster relief.
“We are committed to helping the communities we serve. Our thoughts are with the people of Italy,” said Giovanni Angelini, Senior Vice President, European Union. “In addition to the immediate response, we will be working with Western Union Agents, employees and non-profit partners to provide additional support for long-term initiatives that will help the area recover and rebuild.”
Western Union Foundation Chairman, John Dye, added, “Italy’s worst earthquake since 2009 has caused devastation with significant loss of life and damage to property. The Western Union Foundation is responding with support for relief efforts, helping address the most critical needs and help begin the long-term recovery process.”
Western Union has more than 450 operating Agent locations* in areas adjacent to the disaster area in the provinces of Ascoli Piceno, Fermo, L’Aquila, Perugia, Rieti, Teramo and Terni.
* Due to the severity of the earthquake, some Western Union Agent locations around the affected areas, 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 June 30, 2016, 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, and included the capability to send money to billions of accounts. In 2015, The Western Union Company completed 262 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $82 billion of principal between consumers, and 508 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 venture efforts make life better for individuals, families and communities around the world. Since its inception, The Western Union Foundation has paid more than $103 million in grants and other giving. These funds have been pledged to more than 2,760 nongovernmental organizations in more than 136 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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Source: The Western Union Company