Western Union Responds to Flooding in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia with Support for Relief Efforts

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe, North America, Serbia, United States

Western Union Foundation will Make $75,000 Grant to International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Match Qualifying Donations to NGOs Serving Affected Region

23/05/2014 — ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — (BUSINESS WIRE)

The Western Union Company today announced a multi-faceted program to provide support for disaster-relief efforts for the families and communities most affected by flooding in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

The program includes grant funding from The Western Union Foundation, as well as Western Union® employee and retail Agent giving elements.

International Consumer Activation

In the United States, Western Union has set up a no-fee Payments contribution account benefiting the American Red Cross to support international relief efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Donors in the United States can contribute by making a no-fee Payments transaction at www.wu.com, directed to the account, up to US$5,000.

Western Union Foundation Grant Activity

The Western Union Foundation is making a grant of US$75,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the organization’s immediate response activities in the region, which include providing emergency materials, shelter, meals and water to disaster victims.

Employee and Agent Activation

To encourage and support additional philanthropy, through May 30, 2014, The Western Union Foundation will match qualifying Western Union employee donations to the Foundation’s Flooding Disaster Relief Fund, which benefits the IFRC’s efforts in the Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

Western Union is also encouraging its Agents and business partners to join together in supporting relief efforts. Under the Western Union Foundation Business Partner Giving program, the Foundation will provide a dollar-for-dollar match of qualifying Agent contributions to NGOs that provide disaster-relief support in the impacted region.

“The flooding throughout this region is the worst in the area in more than 100 years, with reports that thousands of people have been displaced from their homes and of billions of dollars in property damage. Western Union is responding with support for relief efforts in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, including programs that provide meals, water and emergency materials to the families and children most affected by the flooding in the region,” said Patrick Gaston, president of The Western Union Foundation.

“We are committed to helping the communities we serve, and our thoughts are with the people affected and their extended community around the world during this time of need.”

Due to the severity of flooding in the area, some Western Union Agent locations in the region 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 March 31, 2013, 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 $96.0 million in grants and other giving. These funds have been pledged to more than 2,720 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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CONTACT:

Western Union
Andrew Silver, 720-332-4119
andrew.silver@westernunion.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  Bosnia and Herzegovina  Europe  North America  Colorado  Serbia

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Philanthropy  Professional Services  Banking  Finance  Foundation  Fund Raising

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