Western Union Foundation Donates $50,000 to Earthquake Relief Efforts in Peru

“To help the victims of Peru’s deadliest earthquake in more than 35 years, The Western Union Foundation today donated $50,000 to CARE USA, a humanitarian nonprofit organization fighting global poverty with local operations in Peru since 1970.

Additionally, for individuals and corporations wishing to donate to disaster relief efforts in Peru, The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) and its Peru Agents A. SERVIBAN S.A. and DHL Express have set-up a Quick Collect contribution account in the U.S. – code city identified as “PERUHELP, WA” or “AYUDAPERU, WA” – benefiting CARE USA. Western Union will provide U.S. consumers with no fee Quick Collect money transfer services directed to the account, up to $2,500 over the next 30 calendar days.

“The damages to the cities of Pisco, Ica and Chincha are catastrophic, leaving tens of thousands in need of support,” said Luella Chavez D’Angelo, president The Western Union Foundation. “CARE USA will use the funds to assist with critical efforts such as providing food, water and shelter to families and children most affected by the disaster.”

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 CARE USA on a one-to-one basis, up to $25,000.

“The hearts of all Western Union employees go out to everyone affected by this disaster,” said Liz Alicea-Velez, executive vice president, Latin America and the Caribbean Western Union.

“We are working together with our Agents in Peru to help facilitate the delivery of services, to the region, in a fast, reliable and convenient manner during this time of need.”

Since 2001, The Western Union Foundation alone has awarded over $40 million in grants to more than 1,500 nonprofit organizations, across 70 countries, that provide critical disaster relief, education and basic human services.

“Western Union’s support of CARE’s response is providing critical support to Peruvians in the worst affected areas,” said Erin Geiger senior director development CARE USA. “Through the grant, Western Union has become one of the corporate leaders in helping CARE carry out this important work alongside the international community.”

CARE response teams are providing clean water, food, blankets, tents, medicine, flashlights and tools to families in the wake of the 8.0-magnitude earthquake. In addition to distributing relief supplies, CARE is also working with local partners to develop a longer-term response to help communities rebuild homes and water systems.

Together, The Western Union Company and The Western Union Foundation support education and cultural inclusion for migrants and their families and the creation of economic pathways to opportunity for those striving to develop their businesses and become entrepreneurs.

Western Union is committed to fostering hope in the developing world by creating a dialogue about issues that impact our consumers and our global community.

About CARE USA
CARE fights root causes of poverty in the world’s poorest communities. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. In 66 countries, women are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. Each year, CARE helps tens of millions of people around the world effect real, positive changes in their lives. For more information, please see www.care.org.

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 $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.

About Western Union
Western Union, together with its affiliates Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, is a leading provider of global money-transfer services, providing people with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send money around the world, pay bills and purchase money orders through a network of more than 312,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.WesternUnion.com. “

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