DENVER, Sept 20 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- To support communities most affected by Typhoon Mangkhut in the Philippines, Western Union, a leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement, today announces a multi-faceted response to provide relief. In total, contributions from Western Union, the Western Union Foundation, Agents and employees through this comprehensive effort could total up to USD $275,000.

“Flooding and landslides from the typhoon have caused significant damage and loss of life,” Vice President and Head of the Western Union Foundation, Elizabeth Roscoe said. “As an organization, we are committed to supporting immediate relief and sustainable rebuilding for communities in crisis. Over the coming weeks we will work with Western Union Agents, employees and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to help the communities recover.”

Western Union has committed USD $50,000 and the Western Union Foundation has pledged USD $30,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Western Union Foundation will also provide a 1:1 match of qualifying contributions from participating Western Union Agents, up to USD $75,000 and a 2:1 match from contributions made by Western Union employees up to USD $15,000. To date, Agents participating in the 1:1 Agent match include: Universal Storefront Services Corp., Perahub, eBusiness Services Inc., and Direct Agent 5 Inc.

Western Union has a long history of being one of the lifelines for communities in need. In many instances, Western Union has been one of the few ways for people around the world to receive funds easily, with services available^† when other infrastructure have been severely impacted.

Western Union and the Western Union Foundation were at the forefront of major natural disaster relief efforts, including Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Hurricane Florence in the Carolinas. Since 2001, the Western Union Foundation has donated more than USD $17 million for disaster relief, to aid 180 disasters in 80 countries around the world. Last year, the Western Union Foundation responded to 13 disasters around the world.

^†Due to the severity of Typhoon Mangkhut, some Western Union Agent locations may not be immediately operational or possess sufficient funds.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement. Our omnichannel platform connects the digital and physical worlds and makes it possible for consumers and businesses to send and receive money and make payments with speed, ease, and reliability. As of June 30, 2018, our network included over 550,000 retail agent locations offering Western Union, Vigo or Orlandi Valuta branded services in more than 200 countries and territories, with the capability to send money to billions of accounts. Additionally, westernunion.com, our fastest growing channel in 2017, is available in 45 countries and territories to move money around the world. In 2017, we moved over $300 billion in principal in nearly 130 currencies and processed 32 transactions every second across all our services. With our global reach, Western Union moves money for better, connecting family, friends and businesses to enable financial inclusion and support economic growth. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

About the Western Union Foundation

The Western Union Foundation believes that education is one of the surest pathways to economic opportunity. Through collaborations with NGOs around the world, the Foundation has embarked on a five-year mission to connect 50,000 migrants, refugees, women and young people to the global economy through demand-driven skills training and workforce enablement programs by 2020. The Foundation also offers a global scholarship program that helps put a post-secondary education in reach for in-need students studying in the STEM fields and business. To date, more than $117 million has been given to fund projects affecting more than 800,000 people in 137 countries across the globe, including humanitarian relief for communities in crisis. The Western Union Foundation is a separate charitable corporation that is tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code, and receives support from The Western Union Company, its employees, agents and business partners. Contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible for US income tax purposes. To learn more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org or follow us on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180919005100/en/

Contact
Western Union
Rachel Rogala, +1-303-808-2674
Rachel.Rogala@wu.com

Source : Western Union

--BERNAMA