Western Union offers free wire transfers to Pakistan

The Western Union Foundation will also contribute $100,000 towards disaster relief efforts.

To help speed up relief and aid efforts for Pakistans flood affectees, the money transfer service Western Union announced a number of disaster relief efforts in support of Pakistan.

Western Union plans to set up grants; consumer, agent and employee donation programs and a no transfer fee initiative when sending money to Pakistan from the US, UK and select countries in the Middle East.

Through The Western Union Company's corporate signature program, Our World, Our Family^(R), The Western Union Foundation will contribute $100,000 towards disaster relief efforts to provide victims with basic necessities such as safe drinking water, temporary shelter, clothing and access to sanitation facilities through the International Rescue Committee (IRC) response teams actively working in Pakistan.

Western Union has also launched no transfer fees for any amount sent to Pakistan from the United States, United Kingdom and select countries in the Middle East including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, from participating locations.

The no transfer fee initiative will run for a period of one month, starting August 12, 2010 and ending September 12, 2010.