On behalf of the people we serve, we would like to thank the foundations, charities and individuals who have reaffirmed their faith in the dignity and worth of the human person by supporting relief efforts to the most vulnerable people of our global community.
2011
WESTERN UNION CEO CALLS ON OTHER COMPANIES TO PRE-FUND GLOBAL DISASTER RESPONSE THROUGH CERF
New Corporate Donations Matched Dollar-for-Dollar, for a Total Goal of $500,000
(New York, 10 May 2011) The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today called on the global corporate community to raise $500,000 in honor of the fifth anniversary of the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
Western Union CEO Hikmet Ersek is encouraging his company’s peers to join Western Union in pre-funding international humanitarian disaster response work through CERF, ensuring that those affected by tragedy receive immediate assistance. In 2011, the Western Union Foundation will match all new corporate donations to CERF dollar-for-dollar up to $250,000 to meet or exceed the fundraising goal of $500,000. In 2007, Western Union, through the Western Union Foundation, became the first corporate donor to CERF.
Click here for the press release.
Western Union CEO, Mr. Hikmet Ersek, announces a global philanthropy challenge to match all new corporate donations to the CERF, for up to $250k, to celebrate the Fund’s fifth year anniversary. (To read the letter, click here.)
On International Corporate Philanthropy Day, 28 February 2011, OCHA and the Western Union Foundation co-host a reception for 300 guests in honour of the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
New York, 1 March 2011. Following an ECOSOC special event on education and the role of the philanthropic community, around 300 participants to the meeting, including CEOs, Presidents of Foundations and other leaders in the area of corporate philanthropy attended a reception in honour of the CERF.
The reception took place on Monday, 28 February 2011, at the Lobby of the UN General Assembly Hall, UN Headquarters, New York.
The President of ECOSOC, H.E. Mr. Lazarous Kapambwe welcomed the guests and introduced the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Ms. Valerie Amos, and the CEO of Western Union, Mr. Hikmet Ersek, who gave the opening speeches.
Ms. Amos gave a short overview of the CERF and explained that while the Fund was created by the Member States of the UN, it has to rely increasingly on the private sector in order to achieve the Fund’s annual funding target of $450 million. Ms. Amos called on all present to support the CERF in providing fast, effective and equitable funding to the victims of humanitarian crises around the globe.
Mr. Ersek called on his forward-thinking corporate peers to join Western Union in pre-funding the UN’s disaster response work, ensuring that those impacted by tragedy receive immediate and reliable humanitarian assistance. Mr Ersek announced that Western Union would match all new corporate donations, dollar-for-dollar up to $250k in 2011.
The CERF was created by the UN General Assembly on 15 December 2005 to promote early action and response to reduce loss of life; enhance response to time-critical requirements; and strengthen core elements of humanitarian response in underfunded crises. It is celebrating its fifth year of operations in March 2011.
2010
Jefferies, a major global securities and investment banking firm, has become the largest corporate donor to the UN CERF to date, with a generous contribution of $1 million, in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. PricewaterhouseCoopers Charitable Foundation (PWC), the Western Union Foundation (WUF), the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA), Alexander Bodini Foundation and Baha`i International Community; consistent corporate donors for the UN CERF; have also made significant contributions this year. New notable donors for 2010 are BASF, Skanska USA Building Inc., Latin American Development Foundation, Bilken Holding AS and Daystar Christian Centre.
BASF donates $761,000 to the CERF
Faced with the humanitarian crisis in Pakistan, BASF and its employees launched a worldwide fundraising drive to help the people affected by the worst flood in the country’s recorded history. This initiative resulted in the active participation of BASF Group companies and their employees in more than 20 countries and in the collection of about €785,000 (US$1,016,000) for the flood victims in 2010.
In the immediate aftermath of the flooding, BASF Group companies in Pakistan and local employees also provided local assistance. For example, an internal aid committee prepared relief packages containing food, medicines and other emergency goods and organized aid distribution points near BASF sites in Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Sialkot.
Most of the funds raised worldwide were contributed to the CERF, amounting to US$761,000.
Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF, said: “The natural disaster in Pakistan shocks the whole company. With this donation we aim to help people who have lost their homes and are now facing hunger and disease.”
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility.
Click here for the press release on BASF’s contribution.
World Mission Society Church of God donates $100,000 to CERF
On June 29, 2010, Chief Pastor, Joo Choel-Kim, of the World Mission Society Church of God made a special visit to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to personally deliver a donation in the amount of $100,000 to aid Haiti’s earthquake victims. The funds were raised through a benefit concert organized in response to the unprecedented disaster in Haiti. The benefit concert was held in the area of Busan, Korea where nearly 17,000 attended, including leaders and officials from the surrounding regions.
The donation from the World Mission Society Church of God is the largest donation from any faith-based organization received by CERF. Over the past 30 years, the Church of God has played the role of the “Good Samaritan”, lending a helping hand to its neighbors in need through relief efforts in disaster ravaged areas all over the world and has been recognized in Korea with the esteemed Presidential Award of Merit.
Click here for the World Mission Society Church of God press release.
2009
- Spurred by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) has contributed US$ 150,000 to CERF. TAQA is the first corporate sponsor of CERF from the Middle East.
- The Estate of Mr. George Gary has made a generous donation of US$ 10,408 to CERF.
- The Bahá'í International Community made a contribution of $10,000 to CERF.
First corporate contribution from the Middle East 
Spurred by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) has contributed $150,000 to the CERF. The contribution to UN relief efforts highlights TAQA's dedication to corporate social responsibility.
Peter E. Barker-Homek, CEO of TAQA said, "TAQA is fully committed to help ease the suffering of the people of Gaza. Over 1.5 million people are known to have been drastically affected by the current humanitarian crisis in the region. By supporting the United Nations, we hope to make a valuable contribution to improving the lives of the huge number of people whose lives have been turned upside down by the devastating events.”
Click here for the press release on TAQA’s contribution.
The Bahá'í International Community made a contribution of $10,000 to CERF
In response to current humanitarian crises in the world, in their contribution to the CERF, the Bahá'í International Community contributed $10,000 in October 2009.
The Bahá'í International Community views humanity as one global family and the earth as one homeland. In making their contribution, the Bahá'í International Community remarked, “We believe that disasters which devastate lives in one part of the world affect and involve us all. Much like the human body, in which every least cell has a part to play, we see the world of humanity as an interconnected whole; each member of the human family is born into the trust of this whole.”
The Bahá'í International Community consists of some five million Bahá'ís living in over 180 countries and 40 territories. The Community believes that sharing material resources to assist relief efforts is a practical expression of the consciousness of the oneness of humanity that transcends all differences of culture and race. The Bahá'í Writings call on all people: “Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements”.”
Fundraising Musical Show in Harlem
Inspired by the humanitarian work of the United Nations in the Swat valley in
Pakistan, Nazneen Patel and Ali Abidi put together a fundraising musical show titled “Swat Now!” The show, which featured musical talents such as DJ Rekha, K-Salaam, the Kominas and Abstractvision took place at the Schomburg Center in Harlem, NY on August 19, 2009. The event also featured personal stories by speakers who had been displaced and directly affected by the conflict. A check of US $1,400 was presented to CERF for its continuing efforts in the region and beyond.
2008
PricewaterhouseCoopers Charitable Foundation helping the UN to achieve its humanitarian goals
PricewaterhouseCoopers Charitable Foundation became the largest corporate sponsor to the CERF in July 2008 with a contribution of US$500,000. It is part of a larger grant prompted by cyclone Nargis in Myanmar which led PwC to pledge US$ 1 million divided equally between the CERF and the Food and Agriculture Organization. PwC also contributed to the earthquake relief efforts for the people of China. The firm donated US$250,000 to UNICEF to help provide emergency food and healthcare to children impacted by the earthquake. PricewaterhouseCoopers has collaborated with the United Nations for years, including contributing toward Indian Ocean tsunami relief efforts, membership in the UN Global Compact, and a significant commitment with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to help the refugees of Darfur.
“At PricewaterhouseCoopers, we have a strong commitment to community involvement worldwide, and believe that acting responsibly is a critical part of what it takes to be a leader,” said Michael Costello, PricewaterhouseCoopers Charitable Foundation President.
Recent corporate contributions to CERF 
Responding to an urgent appeal by the UN Global Compact Office, French reinsurer SCOR Group has donated US$ 200,000 to CERF to support relief efforts following the devastating natural disasters in China and Myanmar. Click here for the more information on SCOR Group's contribution.
2007
First corporate partner of CERF
As part of its initiative "Our World, Our Family" the Western Union Foundation has given US$ 100,000 to CERF through its Foundation. This gift makes Western Union the first corporate partner of CERF. The initiative aims to facilitate economic empowerment to help families stay connected, overcome barriers and realize their dreams. OCHA is proud to have responsible corporate citizens as partners. Click here for the press release on Western Union Foundation's contribution.
Award winning support
CERF even has award winners who are supporting its cause! Jan Egeland, the winner of the Verdens Gang Name of the Year Prize (US$ 8,000) and of the Tahiti Prize for Explaining the World to Norway (US$ 17,000) has generously donated the proceeds of his awards to CERF.
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While many individuals choose to independently donate to humanitarian causes, businesses can facilitate such contributions and enhance their impact by adopting employee giving programs that include payroll deductions, matching contributions, and fundraising activities. Cause-related marketing programs targeting customers are also a unique opportunity to build awareness of a particular humanitarian crisis and demonstrate to customers your company’s commitment to addressing that crisis.
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For Private Organizations and Individuals
There are two ways for private organizations and individuals to contribute to CERF:
1. Online and tax deductible donations
It is also possible to make online and tax deductible (only for the U.S. taxpayers) donations through a partnership with the United Nations Foundation, a U.S. 501 (c)(3) public charity. Donations can be made online or sent via check, money order or wire transfer.
2. Direct donation to the CERF bank account at:
JP Morgan Chase Bank
International Agencies Banking
1166 Avenue of the Americas
NY, NY 10036-2780
Account Title: Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) Charitable Donations
Account No: 485 002671
ABA No: 021000021
Swift Code: CHASUS33 (for international transfer)