Canadian Red Cross assists flood victims across Alberta
Calgary, June 18, 2005 – The Canadian Red Cross has activated its Provincial Disaster Response Team in a concerted effort to continue assisting the communities across Central and Southern Alberta that are being affected by ongoing flooding.
Dozens of Red Cross staff and volunteers from across the province are working with communities where people have been evacuated due to flood conditions, as well as with other areas in Southern Alberta that remain under a Flood Warning issued by Alberta Environment. Rain continues to fall and flood damage continues to affect many homes.
In addition to reception centres opened last week, Red Cross is working with the City of Calgary at a reception centre at SAIT to look after those 2,000 residents living along the Bow and Elbow rivers who were issued a mandatory evacuation notice by the City on Saturday evening. Red Cross today also opened a reception centre in Bowden for approximately 50 households evacuated from the Dickson Dam area.
Last night, a reception centre was reopened in Springbank to accommodate Bragg Creek evacuees. Red Cross is also working with the City of Red Deer at a reception centre at Red Deer College.
“We continue to work very closely with communities and municipalities to monitor the needs of the areas affected by the floods,” said Ange Sawh, Community Services Manager, Southern Alberta. “With highly trained staff and volunteers on standby in offices across the province, Red Cross is able to respond quickly by opening reception centres, to register evacuees, provide for their basic necessities, and help assess damages and determine needs.”
It is important evacuees register with Red Cross so that accurate records are available, family members can locate one another, and appropriate levels of assistance and support can be determined to ensure needs are met.
Evacuees can register at reception centres, or by contacting the Red Cross call centre in Calgary: (403) 541-6100
To make a Financial Donation to assist with the needs of evacuees: (403) 541-6100
Call Centre Extended Hours Saturday June 18: 9 a.m. - midnight
Sunday June 19: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
The Canadian Red Cross in Alberta has launched an appeal to raise money for the largest flood relief effort in more than 10 years in this region. Donations support the recovery efforts in flooded areas across Alberta and help provide for basic needs not covered by insurance or the government recovery program.
The work of the Red Cross to help those affected by the floods would not be possible without generous donations from the public. We need your help to continue giving much-needed help to those suddenly faced with disaster. Donations can be made at any Red Cross office, by calling toll-free 1-800-418-1111, or online at https://www.paypaq.com/redcross/en/.
Information on how Red Cross cares for donated funds is available here.
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For more information:
Ginette Benoit, Public Affairs, (780) 504-4535
