Topics: Manitoba, Emergencies and Disasters in Canada
June 21, 2013
(Ottawa) – Earlier this month, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) asked the Canadian Red Cross to conduct an assessment of the longer term needs of the 2011 Manitoba flood evacuees. Approximately 2,000 individuals were evacuated from six First Nations communities due to flooding that occurred in Manitoba in 2011.
The needs assessment is being carried out by highly trained Canadian Red Cross personnel with experience and a particular expertise in disaster relief and recovery. In conducting the assessment, the team is focusing on areas such as health, the community, livelihoods, shelter, safety, security and protection. Based on the needs assessment, the Red Cross will develop recommendations that will be submitted to AANDC for its consideration.
The needs assessment team has started meeting with community leaders, as part of a broader consultation process, and is discussing how best to reach out to people affected by the floods. This initial phase of the assessment began on June 20, 2013.
The Manitoba Association of Native Firefighters (MANFF) continues to have the mandate to provide disaster response and relief to on-reserve First Nations communities in Manitoba. In a public statement issued on June 3rd by The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, the Minister indicated that, “departmental officials (will) work with MANFF on a transition plan, in partnership with the affected First Nation communities and the province, which supports this approach. This will also include working with the Canadian Red Cross, who will work with the affected communities to conduct an assessment of their longer term needs as evacuees.”
The health and well-being of affected communities is central to the Canadian Red Cross’ recovery efforts, and the Red Cross is committed to working with the affected communities, MANFF, AANDC, and other partners throughout the needs assessment. The assessment process will last until mid-July.
The Red Cross has a long history of providing disaster relief and recovery assistance in Canada and around the world. On average, the Red Cross responds every four hours to disasters in Canada ranging from house fires to forest fires and flooding.