It also set up an Employee Giving Circle program to facilitate fundraising for the extraordinary relief efforts in Japan, as well as a special account to enable U.S. consumers to send no fee transfers to Mercy Corps.
“Now we have the opportunity to demonstrate the real meaning of ‘shared value’ and use our unmatched global network to benefit the people of Japan at this time of need. We are offering a ‘No Fee Transfer’ initiative to take place for a month’s time, from March 17 to April 17, 2011, to allow consumers to send money transfers to friends and family in Japan for no transfer fee,” Western Union said.
It is also doing the following:
• Activating a limited-time “No Transfer Fee” program for money-transfers sent to Japan from Agent locations around the world. The “No Transfer Fee” service, which also includes a reduction of FX spread to zero, will allow consumers to send money to help loved ones affected by the devastation in Japan. This will automatically apply to all transactions into Japan from March 17 to April 17, 2011 (inclusive) through a rate table change.
• As part of this support effort for Japan, Western Union will have zero percent agent commission on these transactions during this small window of time.
• The Western Union Foundation has activated its Agent Giving Circle program in support of Japan, offering to match one-for-one for up to $100,000 any Western Union Agent donations from around the world.
• Additionally, Western Union set up a special account to enable U.S. consumers to support Japan disaster-relief efforts. Consumers can donate to Mercy Corps by sending a no-fee money transfer using the Western Union Quick Collect service (code city: Japan Relief, CO) through a participating Western Union Agent location. Consumers can also go online to make a donation at http://foundation.westernunion.com to support Japan relief efforts.
• Recently, the foundation made a $50,000 contribution to Mercy Corps in support of Peace Winds Japan, their local partner, to provide for the immediate needs of survivors, including supplying shelter, food, water, blankets and medicine.
• The foundation also has initiated a Japan Earthquake Relief Fund to match donations from Western Union employees. Contributions will be matched two-for-one for U.S. based employees, and three-for-one for all other employees around the world.
• Western Union is working together with its agents in Japan to help facilitate the delivery of services in a fast, reliable and convenient manner during this time. Remittances will be vital in providing emergency support to family and friends in Japan.
