According to the International Disaster Database, Em-Dat, natural disasters affect more than 200 million people each year. For victims of natural disasters, necessities become even more essential. The impact to the affected area’s infrastructure creates challenges to those trying to rebuild their lives, beyond basic necessities such as food and shelter. Along with the need for food and shelter, there’s also the impact to the area’s infrastructure that can create even more challenges to those trying to rebuild and restore control of their lives.
The Western Union Foundation provides funds to nonprofits supporting urgent relief and recovery missions for people in crisis. We align our efforts with those of The Western Union Company, which is positioned to support aid efforts, due to its global presence and ability to make cash accessible for those in need.
This year, the Western Union Foundation has responded to the below crises:
Colombia Population Movement | February 2019
Colombia. 2018. Migrants receive attention in health services, food, hydration, accommodation, communication with family members and others, thanks to humanitarian assistance provided by the Colombian Red Cross.
Credits: Colombian Red Cross
The number of people crossing the border into Colombia from Venezuela has increased due to the crisis in Venezuela.
An estimated 2,000 to 10,000 people are moving into Colombia each day without basic needs, including shelter, health services and water.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the International Federation of the Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) with a $45,000 grant.
IFRC:
Partnering with the Colombian Red Cross Society’s to aid 120,000 people on the Colombia/Venezuela border.
Western Union:
Western Union’s Agents in Colombia, Acciones y Valores and Giros y Finanzas, each committed USD $5,000 to the cause, matched 1:1 by the Foundation.
Alabama, United States | Tornadoes, March 2019
The American Red Cross responds after tornadoes devastated areas of Beauregard, Alabama. Photo by Jennifer Ryan/American Red Cross
On the first weekend of March, a series of tornadoes and floods hit the US Southeast region. Tornadoes damaged more than 1,000 homes in Alabama, leaving hundreds of residents homeless or displaced. The American Red Cross was immediately on the ground and opened hundreds of cases to help families affected by the storms.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the American Red Cross with a $15,000 grant. *This grant also supported Midwest flooding.
American Red Cross:
Immediately on the ground to help families affected by the storms, providing basic necessities such as shelter, meals, and health services.
Western Union:
Activated fee-free transfers to the American Red Cross at participating agent locations in the US. Customers can complete their donation by using “American Red Cross” as the Pay To recipient, “REDCROSS DC” as the Code City and “ALABAMA TORNADO AND MIDWEST FLOODING RELIEF” in the Account field.
Midwest, United States | Flooding, March 2019
March 15, 2019. Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Ice jams on rivers were the culprit of some sudden flooding experienced in cities and neighborhoods across Wisconsin during the past week, including Waubeka, Arcadia, Green Bay and, seen here, Fond du Lac. Photo by Justin Kern/American Red Cross Photo by: Justin Kern/American Red Cross
In March, the US Midwest region flooded. Winter storms and tornadoes caused deadly flooding across the Midwest, including Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin. Over 85 cities in Nebraska alone declared states of emergency.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the American Red Cross with a $15,000 grant. *This grant also supported Alabama tornadoes.
American Red Cross:
Opened hundreds of cases to help families affected by the flooding.
Western Union:
Activated fee-free transfers to the American Red Cross at participating agent locations in the US. Customers can complete their donation by using “American Red Cross” as the Pay To recipient, “REDCROSS DC” as the Code City and “ALABAMA TORNADO AND MIDWEST FLOODING RELIEF” in the Account field.
Mozambique | Cyclone Idai, March 2019
Youth walking through a flooded section of Praia Nova, Beira, Mozambique, after the cyclone. Photo by Denis Onyodi / IFRC / EPA-EFE /REX / Shutterstock
In the wake of Cyclone Idai, an estimated 1,000 people died and miles of Mozambique land flooded. The Government of Mozambique reported 600,000 people were affected and 100,000 in need of rescue.
Western Union Foundation:
The first funder of Save the Children with a $25,000 grant.
Save the Children:
Storms separate children from their families and destroy their schools, disrupting education. School supplies need to be purchased as families focus on rebuilding their homes. Save the Children shared that “people in cyclone-hit areas of Mozambique are clinging desperately to rooftop areas virtually submerged by flood water, awaiting aid and rescue.”
Save the Children will lead emergency health and food delivery, reuniting families and restoring children’s access to education.
United States | Restoring Family Links, June 2019
American Red Cross volunteer speaking at Western Union Denver, Colorado headquarters
Some 51.2 million people live as refugees and internally displaced people around the world, forced to choose between safety and their family and the comforts of home. On World Refugee Day, the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming partnered with Western Union and the Western Union Foundation to help support the migrant community.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the American Red Cross with a $50,000 USD grant.
American Red Cross:
Activated their Restoring Family Links program to help bring families back together separated at the U.S. Border.
Western Union:
Contributed $50,000 to the cause.
South, United States | Hurricane Barry, July 2019
Photo by the American Red Cross
Hurricane Barry was the first season storm of the Atlantic along the Gulf Coast. After making landfall on Saturday afternoon near Louisiana with strong winds and rain, the storm continued to slowly flood surrounding regions including Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the American Red Cross with a $25,000 grant.
American Red Cross:
Quickly responded to Hurricane Barry as thousands of people evacuated. More than 400 Red Cross workers were mobilized and provided thousands of meals and hundreds of overnight stays. Per a recent update from the Red Cross, more than 50,000 people are also without electricity.
Western Union:
Activated fee-free transfers to the American Red Cross at participating agent locations in the U.S. Consumers who want to take advantage of fee-free donations to the American Red Cross at Western Union Agent locations* in the US, can complete the transaction using “American Red Cross” as the Pay To recipient, “REDCROSS DC” as the Code City and “HURRICANE BARRY RELIEF” in the Account field.
India | Flooding, August 2019
Photo by United Way India
Maharashtra, India witnessed high-intensity floods due to the incessant rains. According to United Way India, almost 750,000 people were affected and 248 people lost their lives. Kolhapur, Satara and Sangli were reported to be the worst affected districts.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported United Way India with a $100,000 grant.
United Way India:
Provided hygiene kits, water source cleaning, school kits, and restoration of education centers. This marks the second consecutive year Western Union and the Western Union Foundation have provided humanitarian relief to the United Way India due to heavy monsoon rains and extreme flooding.
Western Union:
Contributed $50,000 to the cause. Local Western Union employees also committed a donation to United Way India that resulted in the distribution of an additional 350 hygiene kits in Maharashtra.
The Bahamas | Hurricane Dorian, September 2019
Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahama community. According to national and regional estimates from the American Red Cross, approximately 76,000 people were impacted and many are in need of clean water.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the American Red Cross with a $25,000 grant.
American Red Cross:
Distributed food vouchers and relief items, restored family links, supported mental health services and provided first aid.
Western Union:
Contributed $25,000 to the cause. Provided zero-fee1 transactions at most Western Union® retail Agent locations to The Bahamas2, from September 9 until September 16, 2019. 28 Western Union agents contributed to the Western Union Foundation, which is matched 1:1 by the Foundation.
Philippines | Typhoon Phanfone, December 2019
Photo by International Medical Corps and Arnulfo Camarines Sr.
On Christmas Eve and Day, Typhoon Phanfone (Ursula) made landfall in the Philippines and devastated the Eastern and Western Visayas region. According to the International Medical Corps, Typhoon Phanfone affected more than 2.1 million people and displaced more than 145,000 individuals. Phanfone brought mass flooding and property damage.
Western Union Foundation:
Supported the International Medical Corps with a $25,000 grant.
International Medical Corps:
Provided relief such as safe drinking water, blankets, tarps for shelter support, and hygiene care.
Learn more about 2018 disaster relief efforts here.
