@WesternUnion Western Union offers no-fee* transfers to Philippines for Typhoon Haiyan relief

No-Fee* money transfer offer

Complements Western Union Foundation’s initial $100,000 Grant to Save the Children

The Western Union Company today announced the activation of its no-fee* money transfer offer to its consumers in United Arab Emirates, as part of its support of the relief efforts in the Philippines in response to Typhoon Haiyan’s aftermath.

For the benefit of consumers sending money to family and loved ones in the Philippines, Western Union offers its consumers in UAE to send no-fee* transactions from  participating Western Union Agent Location until November 30, 2013. 

UAE joins 42 other countries to-date  offering no-fee* money transfer transaction to support relief efforts in the Philippines.  The countries from Middle East participating in this program are UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.

Earlier this week, The Western Union Foundation pledged a grant of US$100,000 to Save the Children to support the organization’s immediate response activities in the Philippines, which include providing emergency materials, meals and water to disaster victims. 

To encourage and support additional philanthropy, through November 30, 2013, The Western Union Company will match two-for-one employee donations to the Western Union Foundation for disaster relief efforts in the Philippines. 

Western Union is also encouraging its Agents 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 contributions to NGOs providing disaster relief support in the impacted region

"Western Union is responding with support for relief efforts in the immediate aftermath of the storm, including programs that provide meals, water and emergency materials to the families and children most affected by the disaster,” 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 of the Philippines, and the Filipino diaspora community around the world, during this time of need.  In addition to immediate response, we will be working with Western Union Agents, employees and nonprofit relief agencies to provide support for initiatives that will help the area recover and rebuild,” concluded Gaston.

Sobia Rahman, Regional Vice President, Gulf, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Western Union said, “At Western Union, our hearts go out to the people of Philippines who have witnessed one of the biggest natural disasters. We are deeply saddened by the death and damage that Haiyan has caused in the country and are committed to support the relief efforts. In addition to the Western Union philanthropic initiatives our no-fee money transfer will assist the Filipino community as they send money back home in this time of distress.”   

*Western Union makes money on the exchange of currencies.  No-fee activations may not be immediately available.

Due to the severity of Typhoon Haiyan, some Western Union Agent locations in the Philippines may not be immediately operational or possess sufficient funds.

For more information, visit www.WesternUnion.com.