Calgary, July 18, 2013 Canadian Red Cross today outlined how it will use generous donor dollars to help affected Albertans transition from the relief to the recovery phase following the devastating floods. To-date, generous individuals, organizations and companies have donated more than $25.3 million to Red Cross flood relief efforts.
“History shows the road to recovery can be very long and for some, it could take years,” said John Byrne, Canadian Red Cross Director General for Disaster Management. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’ll continue providing assistance in the weeks, months and years to come as individuals, families and communities rebuild their lives from this flooding. The Canadian Red Cross has helped those affected by disasters for more than 100 years, and we’re here to help for the long term.”
The Red Cross’s transition to recovery activities include:
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Outreach teams going door-to-door in impacted communities to assess needs and offer support and assistance.
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Assisting individuals who have urgent unmet needs of food, clothing, public transportation, occupational needs to get individuals back to work, medications or health equipment.
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Continuing to support communities to address unique needs through community grants.
Affected individuals with immediate needs who:
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Have lost their home or have a home that was severely damaged by the floods, or
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Have lost income as a result of the flooding, or
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Are not covered by insurance
can contact Canadian Red Cross at 1-866-696-6484 for a personal, confidential needs assessment. Red Cross will work with community leaders and other organizations to coordinate efforts.
Albertans were hit with the worst flooding disaster in recent Canadian history exactly four weeks ago today. The Alberta Floods is the largest geographic natural disaster the Canadian Red Cross has ever responded to domestically. Canadian Red Cross responded immediately with emergency supplies, family reunification, registration of more than 91,400 evacuees and has managed or supported 17 shelters over the past month. As the flood waters receded, Red Cross distributed nearly 900,000 relief supplies to those affected.