As the community continues to recovery from the wildfire last spring, the Canadian Red Cross is reflecting on their own year in our community.
In the months following the fire $323-million was donated by people across the country and this amount includes the funds matched by the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta.
To date, $244-million or 75 per cent, has been spent or committed to continue supporting residents and the community throughout the recovery process.
The majority of the funds, $231-million has been allocated to support individuals and families.
Close to 65,000 families registered with the Red Cross to receive support and more than 126,400 electronic fund transfers provided immediate support to evacuees.
President and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross, Conrad Sauve said that the 2016 wildfires was a defining moment for the Red Cross.
“Technology was a real game changer, it enabled us to innovate. The fact that everyone registered with us, we were able to transfer direct financial assistance into evacuees bank accounts within a couple of days,” said Sauve, “I want to remind everybody that this became the largest and fastest transfer of emergency financial assistance ever. Not only in Canada but in the world.”
Community groups and initiatives have been allocated $50-million. This includes a variety of projects such as special events put on by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) and Indigenous communities.
The remaining $30-million will go toward eligible small businesses that need financial support to cover costs such as clean-up and replacement of essential items.
“Assistance from the Canadian Red Cross has had a direct, personal impact on tens of thousand of individuals, families and businesses in our community. Your support has sustained us at every step of this journey and we are deeply grateful for your kindness and generosity,” said Mayor Melissa Blake.
Twenty-five per cent of the $323-million still needs to be distributed, Sauve said that recovery takes time and that there will be a lot of work in terms of psycho-social support in the months and years ahead.
“We’ve seen this in many disaster responses, people cope but this has been a terrible toll on them emotionally with their families as well and we need to be there for that support on the longer time,” said Sauve.
“It will be continued support for those who have lost the most, support through community organizations in terms of psycho-social support, in terms of counselling.”
The allocation of the donations identify the needs of residents and the community, other needs may emerge over time and the allocated amounts may be changed accordingly.
