Canadian Red Cross assists over 96,000 households impacted by Hurricane Fiona

The post-tropical storm caused by Hurricane Fiona swept across Atlantic Canada in September 2022, leaving an unprecedented trail of destruction in its wake. One of the strongest Hurricanes on record in Canada, Fiona resulted in widescale impacts including massive destruction of property and lengthy power outages.

Thanks to the generosity of Canadians who contributed to the Hurricane Fiona in Canada Appeal, the Canadian Red Cross was able to assist individuals and families from more than 96,000 households impacted by the post-tropical storm.

Households with the greatest needs have been helped in multiple ways. The emergency relief provided by the Red Cross included registration, lodging, clothing, food, clean-up kits, cots, blankets, hygiene kits, information and referrals, psychosocial and well-being support, and emergency financial assistance for eligible households in the most impacted areas that were unable to meet basic needs as a result of the storm.

The financial assistance provided has been either on behalf of the provincial government in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador, or Red Cross financial assistance for eligible households from the most impacted areas that were unable to meet their basic needs as a result of Fiona.

Quick Facts as of December 31, 2022
The Red Cross:

• Assisted more than 96,000 eligible households.
• Provided support at 33 reception centres and/or sites and conducted 22 mobile visits to impacted communities in partnership with local authorities.
• Provided in-person assistance to more than 42,000 people.
• Provided virtual/remote assistance to more than 58,000 people.
• Supported more than 100,000 phone calls through the call centre.
• Provided more than 140,000 assessments digitally.
• Provided emergency lodging to more than 1,200 individuals on behalf of provincial governments.
• Provided more than 5,700 emergency items to impacted individuals and communities, including hygiene kits, cots, blankets and teddy bears for children.
• Connected with people through more than 6,900 conversations for psychosocial or well-being support.
• Provided more than 680 referrals for other community-based supports.

 
The Hurricane Fiona in Canada Appeal raised more than $54 million, including the matching funds committed by the Government of Canada. The Canadian Red Cross thanks the generous individuals, businesses, and the Government of Canada who provided funds in support of people impacted by post-tropical storm Fiona. All funds are fully allocated, with more than 94 per cent of the funds already spent or committed to help those impacted by the disaster.
 
Quote
“The number of people registered with the Red Cross following Hurricane Fiona exceeded any other disaster event in Canada’s history,” said Louise Castonguay, vice-president of Atlantic Canada for Canadian Red Cross. “Assisting 96,000 households in a three-month period would not have been accomplished without more than 1,000 Red Cross volunteers and staff who worked hard to help those in need.”
 
Additional information on the Canadian Red Cross response following Hurricane Fiona can be found on redcross.ca.

 
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 support them in strengthening their resilience.
 
MEDIA CONTACT
Canadian Red Cross
Atlantic media line (902) 424-1411