Sun Life Financial contributes $100,000 to support flood relief in the Philippines

TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial announced today it will contribute $100,000 to support relief efforts for those affected by the severe flooding in the Philippines brought on by Tropical Storm Haiyan. The contribution will come from the Sun Life Financial International Response Fund at the Canadian Red Cross, which will allow the emergency support to be deployed rapidly to the area.

Sun Life Financial has clients, employees and advisors living in the areas impacted by the floods. "We want to express our sympathy and support for residents whose lives have been severely affected by this devastating storm," said Riza Mantaring, President, Sun Life Financial Philippines. "We are donating $100,000 to the Red Cross to help assist with much needed disaster recovery efforts." Sun Life Financial's donation will be used to meet the critical needs of affected residents who have been hard hit by evacuations, power outages and water shortages. It will help support the Red Cross in their efforts to meet basic needs by providing food, clothing, cots, blankets, hygiene kits and emergency shelters.

"We've been in the Philippines since 1895, and we want to do our part to help the country - particularly in this time of need," said Kevin Strain, President, Sun Life Financial Asia. "We're thankful that this donation can be used immediately and that it will focus on the most critical needs of the Filipino people."

The Sun Life Financial International Response Fund, the first international corporate sponsorship of its kind, was established in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross in 2005 to help it accelerate emergency response to large-scale international crises. Administered by the Canadian Red Cross, the Fund has helped provide immediate relief and resources to natural disasters in Canada and around the world.

About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth accumulation products and services to individuals and corporate customers.  Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda.  As of September 30, 2013 the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $590 billion.  For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars.

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.