Western Union Foundation, Western Union Company support relief efforts for civilians displaced in Pakistan

Notes and media contacts

Here is how you can make a donation through Western Union to Mercy Corps for the Pakistan relief efforts without paying any transfer fees:

Senders can take their funds in cash to the closest Western Union agent to send a donation via Quick Collect (also known as "Quick Pay" in some areas). Senders then complete the blue Send a PAYMENT via Quick Collect form.

Enter Dollar Amount: $XX
Pay to: MERCY CORPS
Code city: MERCYCORPS, OR
Reference/attention: PAKISTAN RELIEF

The Western Union agent enters the Quick Collect information into the Western Union Money Transfer System, allowing funds to be transferred directly to Mercy Corps' office. Quick Collect form completion requires:

(a) Sender's name, address, phone number
(b) The reference (Pakistan Relief) to which the funds are to be credited
(c) The Quick Collect code city and state, which is: MERCYCORPS, OR and
(d) Cash equal to the amount of the donation
Western Union's Quick Collect standard fee is waived. Senders will be issued a written receipt at the conclusion of the transaction.

Quick Pay - International Sender locations:

Same process as above for consumers - use the following Code Cities depending upon local currency being used.

Currency type used at Agent location and Pay to Name:

QuickPay Code City

1. EURO Mercy Corps-EURO Mercycorpseur, UK
2. GBP Mercy Corps-GBP Mercycorpsgbp, UK
3. USD Mercy Corps-USA Mercycorpsusa, UK

Notes:

1. Sending "no fee" donations is only available at participating Western Union Agent locations in the United States, the Middle East or Europe which provide the Quick Collect or QuickPay service.

2. Funds must be made in US$, Euros or Sterling to avoid any transfer fees for donations to Mercy Corps until July 31st, 2009.

3. Countries which currently offer Quick Pay services include:

In Europe - United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark and Italy.

In MEPA - Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Yemen

About Western Union:

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in the money transfer segment of global payments. Together with its Orlandi Valuta and Vigo branded money transfer services, Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. It operates through a network of more than 379,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the original Western Union dates back to 1851.

About the Western Union Foundation:

Through the donations of The Western Union Company, its employees and Agents, the Western Union Foundation helps to fund programs that create economic opportunity around the world. Embracing the truly global nature of its corporate sponsor, the Western Union Foundation has granted almost $53m to more than 1,800 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 100 countries. Its signature giving program, Western Union's Our World, Our Family, is a $50m, five-year commitment reaching people at every rung of the economic ladder. Through Our World, Our Family, the Western Union Foundation is helping migrants and their families stay connected, overcome barriers and realize their dreams.

About Mercy Corps:

Mercy Corps helps people in the world's toughest places turn the crises of natural disaster, poverty and conflict into opportunities for progress. Driven by local needs and market conditions, our programs provide communities with the tools and support they need to transform their own lives. Our worldwide team of 3,700 professionals is improving the lives of 14.5 million people in more than 40 countries.

Media contact:

Ashish Kumar
Account Manager PR
tamra C2 PR
t: +971 4- 295 11 77
f: +971 4- 295 11 88