MoneyGram Makes $50,000 Donation to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF for Emergency Relief and Child Survival in Africa and the Middle East

MoneyGram International announced today that the company has made a $50,000 donation to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to support life-saving programs for children in Africa and the Middle East.

MoneyGram is providing $25,000 each to two UNICEF program areas: child survival and development initiatives in the Middle East and North Africa, and emergency relief efforts in the drought and famine-affected countries of Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. The Horn of Africa is facing the worst drought in 60 years, and famine has been declared in parts of southern Somalia. More than two million young children are malnourished, including 600,000 who are at immediate risk of death.

"MoneyGram has had a presence in North Africa and the Middle East for more than 15 years, providing a safe, efficient and affordable financial lifeline for many individuals and families,” said Dan O’Malley, MoneyGram’s executive vice president of the Americas and Emerging Markets. "We recognize that we have a responsibility to provide support beyond our money transfer service, to help these communities thrive and survive through the challenges of conflict, as well as the dire situation brought on by the intensifying drought and famine in the Horn of Africa.”

O’Malley noted that MoneyGram has seen a strong flow of funds recently to many countries in Africa, typically representing non-resident families helping families in the region during this time of extreme need.

"We are grateful to MoneyGram for their support of relief efforts in the Horn of Africa and programs that provide children and families with access to health care, education, clean water and other vital services in the Middle East and North Africa,” said Rajesh Anandan, U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s Senior Vice President, Private Sector Partnerships."MoneyGram’s generous donation will help save children’s lives and provide the opportunity for them to thrive.”

The MoneyGram Global Giving program provides approximately $500,000 in grants annually to non-profit organizations around the globe. MoneyGram also commits funds to fee relief during times of disaster, including temporarily reducing or eliminating fees. In addition to its primary focus on disaster relief, The MoneyGram Global Giving program provides grants around the world for microfinance programs and essential education services.

About MoneyGram International
MoneyGram International, a leading money transfer company, enables consumers who are not fully served by traditional financial institutions to meet their financial needs. MoneyGram offers bill payment services in the United States and money transfer services worldwide through a global network of more than 244,000 agent locations—including retailers, international post offices and financial institutions—in more than 192 countries and territories. To learn more about money transfer or bill payment at an agent location or online, please visit www.moneygram.com or connect with us on Facebook.

About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in more than 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress: the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.1 million in 2009. But still, 22,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.