Disaster Relief

Longtail Boat Project in Thailand

The devastation wrought by the 2004 Tsunami has had a rippling effect -- individual lives lost, families torn apart, businesses upended, and vital infrastructures destroyed. Economic livelihood all but came to a halt in many affected areas, including the fishing villages in outlying islands of Thailand where boats were damaged beyond repair.

In such rural areas, one boat can serve up to four families. Imagine then how rebuilding the Thai fishing fleet could benefit entire communities. Luella Chavez D'Angelo, president, Western Union Foundation and Ian Marsh, executive vice president for The Western Union Company and managing director for Asia Pacific, challenged Agents at the 2006 Asia Pacific Agent Summit in Phuket to do just that. They suggested the modest goal of building three boats. 

"Agents responded passionately to this cause and were struck by the simple gesture of how a single fishing boat could sustain life for so many villagers," said Marsh. The result? They raised enough funds for 10 boats, which were then matched dollar-for-dollar by the Foundation. Additionally, Western Union employees in Asia Pacific jumped on board -- and their contributions were matched two-for-one. The total amount collected with Foundation dollars was $128,000, resulting in 34 boats being built.  "What this really means is that 90 families can now sustain themselves today and into the future," added a very proud Marsh.