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Red Cross says $299 M raised for wildfire relief

Canadian Red Cross CEO Conrad Sauvé, Mayor Melissa Blake, Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs Danielle Larivee, and Federal Minister of Veterans Affairs Kent Hehr at Jubilee Centre Wednesday, August 3, 2016.

The Canadian Red Cross announced Wednesday morning $299 million has been raised to help with recovery from the Fort McMurray wildfire.

The agency said Canadians have donated $165 million.

Canadian Red Cross CEO Conrad Sauvé called the financial support from across the country “A True Canadian Effort”.

“We are grateful for the incredible kindness demonstrated by Canadians, friends and neighbours, community groups, governments and corporations, when it was needed most,” Sauvé said. “This outpouring of support will help the people of Fort McMurray and its surrounding areas recover from the devastating Alberta wildfires and assist those affected for years to come.”

Fulfilling a promise to match nation-wide donations within a specific time-frame the federal government is giving $104 million to the Red Cross Alberta Fires appeal.

The provincial government said it is also matching $30 million in donations made by individual Albertans.

“Our government has been standing with the people of Fort McMurray since the start of this disaster and we will continue to support the region as it recovers and rebuilds,” said Danielle Larivee, the Vice-Chair of Alberta’s Wood Buffalo Ministerial Recovery Task Force and Minister of Municipal Affairs. “The generosity of Albertans and Canadians during this crisis was overwhelming. Our country truly pulled together to help Alberta in its time of need and our government will continue to work closely with the Canadian Red Cross to ensure the donations of Albertans are used to make a real difference in the lives of the people of Wood Buffalo as they recover from this devastating wildfire.”

Funds committed to date

Already $146 million has been spent to support individuals and families to provide emergency shelter, registration, food, clothing, transportation and financial assistance in the form of the electronic transfers given directly to evacuees and to residents on their return to Fort McMurray as well as cheques, vouchers, and gift cards for others in need.

$50 million has been committed to community groups and organizations already working with those in need on the ground across the region like the Wood Buffalo Food Bank and the United Way and its partner agencies.

$4.5 million has been committed to emergency financial assistance for small businesses.

Future projected commitments

With the announcement of the totals raised today the Red Cross announced the areas they’re committed to spending in the future.

They’re projecting $50 million for individual and family assistance for housing, rent and mortgage payments, replacing furniture and appliances, as well as support rebuilding homes and with the clean-up, repair, and rehabilitation of homes.

They’re projecting another $25.5 million in support for small businesses for recovery priorities and another $12 million for supporting overall community resilience.

The massive fire forced the evacuation of close to 90,000 people from Fort McMurray and the surrounding area in three months ago to the day.

The flames destroyed 2,400 homes in just under 2,000 structures, caused the shutdown of two key oilsands facilities and burned almost 5,900 square kilometres of timber.

Since early June, residents have been returning to the community to assess the damage and rebuild. It’s estimated about one third of residents have yet to make a permanent return home,