Japan Flooding – July 2018
Record-breaking torrential rain began to fall on July 5, 2018, causing widespread flooding and landslide damages in western Japan – the worst the country has experienced in 36 years. According to Save the Children, the disaster has impacted thousands of children.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported Save the Children, with a USD $15,000 grant.
Save the Children:
Funds provided youth with immediate needs and continued education, as many schools in the area had been destroyed.
Lombok, Indonesia Earthquake – July 2018
On July 29, 2018 a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck off Lombok, providence of West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The earthquake displaced more than 14,706 people1, damaging many buildings and homes
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) with a USD $31,000 grant.
IFRC:
Worked with the Indonesian Red Cross to deliver assistance to thousands of households, including thousands of hygiene kits, millions of liters of clean water, and emergency shelters.
Western Union:
Eight Western Union Agents committed a total of USD $10,500 to the cause, matched 1:1 by the Foundation. Agents: PT Rafana Remitindo, PT POS Indonesia Persero, PT Bank Syariah Mandiri, PT Bank Pem Daerah (Nagari), PT Bank Pembanguanan Jawa Timur, PT Bank Bina Putra Sadaya, PT Aguing Makmur Valasindo, PT Remiten Indonesia.
Laos Flooding – July 2018
People are starting to return home after the flash flooding in Laos, but they face a massive clean-up. Roads were inundated following the dam collapse, cutting off access to some communities. The floodwaters also damaged 14 bridges and other infrastructure. Sanamxay district, 31-07-2018.
After days of heavy rainfall and floods, the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam collapsed, releasing five billion cubic meters of water, affecting 7,000 residents2 in six villages.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the IFRC with a USD $10,000 grant.
IFRC:
Funds provided shelter, food and health services.
Western Union:
Western Union Agent Lao Development Bank, committed a total of USD $5,000 to the cause, matched 1:1 by the Foundation.
California, United States Wildfires – August & November 2018
A series of wildfires across California have burned hundreds of thousands of acres across the state, damaging structures and homes, displacing families.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the American Red Cross with a USD $41,000 grant for the summer wildfires in Redding and Mendocino and November wildfires in Hill, Paradise, and Woolsey.
American Red Cross:
Worked with community and government partners to provide those affected by the wildfires with food, shelter, information and recovery support. Hundreds of Red Cross employees and volunteers, like the ones pictured here, worked around the clock to support evacuees in shelters and those returning home to clean up.
Western Union:
Employees donated to the cause, matched 2:1 by the Foundation.
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ebola – August 2018
See more about how the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is responding to the Ebola outbreak here.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the IFRC with a USD $10,000 grant to support Ebola recovery efforts.
IFRC:
Worked with the DRC Red Cross and the Ministry of Health to implement infection control and prevention and health facilities, including sanitation and waste management.
Kerala, India Flooding – August 2018
India’s southern state of Kerala suffered one of the worst monsoon flooding in nearly a century3. More than one million people4 have been estimated to be displaced.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported Save the Children with a USD $30,000 grant and United Way India with a USD $103,473 grant.
Save the Children & United Way India:
Save the Children provided aid through programs that included immediate distribution of supplies, access to education and shelter to affected families. United Way India provided family support kits, education kits containing supplies such as notebooks, pencil boxes and school bags, and transitional shelter.
Western Union:
Western Union donated USD $1 for each transaction sent to a Western Union Agent location in Kerala from participating Western Union Agent locations across the globe and via WU.com and the Western Union mobile app where available.
In addition, three Western Union Agents contributed to the cause and were matched 1:1 by the Foundation. Agents: Cash Plus Co Pty Ltd., Direct Flights International, Weizmann Forex Ltd.
Read more about the Western Union and Western Union Foundation coordinated response here.
Hawaii, United States, Hurricane Lane – August 2018
Hurricane Lane delivered heavy rainfall, causing flash flooding and landslides. Lane produced the third highest storm total rainfall from a tropical cyclone in the United States since 1950.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the American Red Cross of Hawaii with a USD $22,719 grant.
American Red Cross of Hawaii:
Worked with government partners to focus on a comprehensive damage response plan. Provided relief supplies like tarps, shovels, trash bags and bug spray, to help individuals recover from this disaster.
Western Union:
Western Union Agent Foodland Super Market contributed to the cause, and were matched 1:1 by the Foundation.
North and South Carolina, United States, Hurricane Florence – September 2018
Hurricane Florence’s powerful winds, high storm surge and torrential rainfall devastated communities across the Carolinas and into Virginia. The Western Union Foundation and Western Union jointly committed more than USD $131,000 to the American Red Cross in support of Hurricane Florence Relief.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the American Red Cross with a USD $30,000 grant.
American Red Cross:
Provided shelter to thousands of people, delivered food snacks and relief items, and provided emotional support and health services. More than 1.6 million meals and snacks served, and more than 337,500 relief items distributed.
Western Union:
Activated fee-free donations to the American Red Cross for relief efforts for consumers online and at Western Union Agent locations. Western Union My WU members also redeemed their points to support American Red Cross Hurricane Florence relief efforts, generating USD $30,000. Employees also donated, matched 2:1 by the Foundation.
Read more about the Western Union and Western Union Foundation’s coordinated response here.
Philippines Typhoon Mangkhut – September 2018
“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.”
The Western Union Foundation and Western Union jointly committed more than US $150,000 to the IFRC.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the IFRC with a USD $30,000 grant.
IFRC:
Provided immediate needs such as shelter and relief items, health, water, sanitation, hygiene and protection.
Western Union:
The Western Union Foundation provided a 1:1 match of qualifying contributions from participating Western Union Agents and a 2:1 match from contributions made by Western Union employees. Agents that participated in the agent match include: Universal Storefront Services Corp., PETNET, Inc., Vantage Financial Corporation, and Direct Agent 5, Inc.
Read more about the Western Union and Western Union Foundation’s coordinated response here.
Gulf Coast, United States, Hurricane Michael – October 2018
September 18, 2018. Mullins, South Carolina. Juruan, age 8, and Red Crosser Monica Cryan design a new handshake after sinking a shot on the basketball court. Juruan and his family evacuated from Nichols, South Carolina to the Red Cross managed shelter in Mullins, South Carolina.
Photo by Michael G. Seamans/American Red Cross
Hurricane Michael made catastrophic landfall near Panama City, Florida, packing winds of more than 150mph – the strongest storm on record in the Florida Panhandle, impacting thousands of homes and businesses. Over a million residents were left without power.
The Western Union Foundation and Western Union jointly committed more than US $70,000 to the American Red Cross’ recovery and relief efforts.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the American Red Cross with a USD $20,000 grant.
American Red Cross:
Worked with government and community partners to provide safe refuge, warm meals, relief supplies and sorely needed emotional support for individuals and families facing staggering losses.
Western Union:
Consumers were able to take advantage of fee-free donations to the American Red Cross online and at Western Union Agent locations. Employees also donated, matched 2:1 by the Foundation.
Read more about the Western Union and Western Union Foundation’s coordinated response here.
Sulawesi, Indonesia Earthquake – October 2018
Following the devastating earthquake and tsunami on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, the Western Union Foundation committed to providing support for the people affected by both disasters. According to the Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, more than 2.4 million people were impacted by the disaster. As rescue attempts continue, especially in remote parts of the island, Indonesia’s President called on international non-for-profit organizations to engage support.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the IFRC with a USD $25,000 grant.
IFRC:
Provided livelihoods and basic needs, health, water, sanitation and hygiene.
Sunda Strait, Indonesia Tsunami – December 2018
Following the devastating tsunami triggered by a massive underwater landslide on an Indonesian volcano that hit the Sunda Strait on Sunday, December 23, the Western Union Foundation has committed to providing support for the thousands of impacted people.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the International Medical Corps with a USD $25,000 grant.
International Medical Corps:
Mobilized a medical unit to provide surged healthcare to over 22,000 people.
Read more about the Western Union Foundation’s response here.
The Western Union Foundation Responded to 13 disasters in 2017
Western Union and the Western Union Foundation were at the forefront of major natural disaster relief efforts, including Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Since 2001, the Western Union Foundation has donated more than US $17 million for disaster relief, to aid 180 disasters in 73 countries around the world. Last year, the Western Union Foundation responded to 13 disasters around the world.
1Data from national disaster management agency (BNPB)
2 IFRC Emergency Appeal Laos, July 26, 2018
3 Save the Children Emergency Appeal, August 20, 2018
4 The Atlantic, Devastating Monsoon Floods in Kerala, India, August 22, 2018
The Western Union Foundation is an independently managed 501(c)(3), United States non-profit corporation.
