Western Union announces $750,000 support for Horn of Africa drought victims

International money transfer company, Western Union, has announced a multi-faceted package of support to respond to the current humanitarian crisis in East Africa.

The company said it will in the next few weeks contribute an amount of $750,000 to ease the drought and other humanitarian crises affecting countries in the region.

“Over the next few weeks, together with its Agents, consumers and global non-profit organizations, Western Union and the Western Union Foundation will contribute up to $750,000 to several groups working to ease the suffering in affected countries across East Africa,” said the company in a press release copied to ghanabusinessnews.com August 31, 2011.

However Western Union indicates that it has activated a special account to enable consumers to make a donation to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies by sending a no-fee money transfer using the “Western UnionR Quick CollectR” or “Quick PaySM service”.

Consumers in the United States may also use their mobile phones to make a
US$10 contribution by texting “AFRICA” to 52000, it adds.

Both consumer-giving options will be available through October 15, 2011.

By Ekow Quandzie