Scotiabank supports residents of India through international COVID-19 relief efforts

$250,000 given to the Canadian Red Cross for awareness, hygiene, and health measures

TORONTO, May 7, 2021 /CNW/ - Scotiabank is joining the fight against the devastating crisis facing India as the country grapples with an overwhelming surge in COVID-19 cases. The Bank is donating $250,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to help save lives in hotspot regions in India, with support for awareness, hygiene and health initiatives.

"We have pledged our support to the Canadian Red Cross to help alleviate some of the suffering faced by the people of India at this time," said Brian Porter, President and CEO, Scotiabank. "We are committed to supporting international relief efforts in India, as people there continue to navigate this acute COVID-19 emergency."

The donation will support Red Cross efforts to distribute COVID-19 prevention information in local languages; provide hygiene items, handwashing stations, food package distribution, and other epidemic and infection control activities. It will also facilitate efforts such as ambulance and transportation services, logistics support to isolation and quarantine centres, psychosocial support services, and maintenance of 89 blood transfusion centres.

To date, Scotiabank has contributed more than $16 million to support people and communities most at risk during the pandemic, including direct contributions for COVID-19 relief, as well as support of hospitals and healthcare professionals.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: "for every future", we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of approximately 90,000 employees and assets of approximately $1.2 trillion (as at January 31, 2021), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit http://www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

SOURCE Scotiabank