Thanks to the generosity of Canadians who have contributed to the
Canadian Red Cross B.C. Fires Appeal, the Red Cross will be providing financial assistance to people evacuated as a result of the British Columbia Fires, in addition to the funding being distributed on behalf of the Province of British Columbia.
The Canadian Red Cross welcomes the Province’s announcement to provide financial assistance to people displaced by the 2021 wildfires and is grateful to be able to further augment this support. With the fires still raging and communities on alert, help is needed now, and in the weeks and months ahead.
The Red Cross funds effectively double the financial assistance available to eligible households:
- Households evacuated from Lytton will receive an additional $1,000 from the Red Cross for a total of $2,000, and;
- Households that have been on evacuation order for more than 10 consecutive days will receive an additional $600 from the Red Cross for a total of $1,200.
This financial assistance will allow people to make decisions for themselves and their families on what they need.
In order to access the financial assistance from both the Province of B.C. and the Red Cross, households on evacuation order need to register with the Canadian Red Cross to determine eligibility. People can register with Canadian Red Cross by calling
1-800-863-6582 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Registration ensures people can be contacted while away from home and can be reached with information and assistance that may become available.
Canadians wishing to make a donation to the British Columbia Fire Appeal can do so online at redcross.ca, by texting FIRES to 45678, or by calling
1-800-418-1111. The Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia will each match every dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross 2021 B.C. Fires appeal.
QUOTE
“We saw the devastating impact of the wildfires in the Lytton area with people facing terrible losses and throughout the province as people continue to be evacuated. My heart goes out to the families who have been displaced and face uncertainty, but thanks to funding from the Province of B.C. and the generosity of Canadians, Red Cross can support the needs of people with this financial assistance. Our teams have been in the field since the outbreak of fires, and we will continue to be here for communities in B.C. in the long recovery ahead.”
- Pat Quealey, Vice-President, B.C. and Yukon, Canadian Red Cross
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
@RedCrossCanada |
facebook.com/CanadianRedCross |
redcross.ca/blog
Red Cross donor inquiries:
WeCare@redcross.ca or
1-800-418-1111
ABOUT THE CANADIAN RED CROSS
Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 192 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies – the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to helping people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need, and supporting them in strengthening their resilience.
MEDIA CONTACT
B.C. Media Line:
(604) 709-6747