Canadian Red Cross continues to support people impacted by this year’s wildfires in British Columbia

The Canadian Red Cross continues to work closely with community leadership and all levels of government to support the needs of people impacted by the 2021 B.C. Fires in their early and long-term recovery.
 
As part of its personalized support, the Red Cross works directly with people to discuss their unique needs and help them navigate their recovery journey. This may include support for planning their return home, understanding insurance and community resources, providing financial assistance to access mental health services, as well as providing referrals and information to help people make decisions and inform their next steps.
 
Homeowners who have been unable to return home may also receive financial support to help meet their immediate needs, clean up their property, and/or assist with expenses related to the repair or rebuilding of their home.
 
Starting in December 2021, on behalf of the Province of British Columbia, the Red Cross will provide financial support to people from eligible households to help cover their interim housing needs while they transition to longer-term housing. As part of its personalized support for recovery from the fires, the Red Cross will contact people who have lost their primary residence or who are still under mandatory evacuation order to assess their unique needs and discuss next steps to help their household meet interim housing needs, based on the criteria provided by Emergency Management British Columbia.
 
The Red Cross is also working with the Province of British Columbia and local authorities to assist with the costs associated with the removal of debris for people who have suffered damage or loss to their residence due to the fires and do not have adequate insurance coverage.
 
People who have been impacted by the 2021 B.C. Fires and have questions about Red Cross support can call 1-800-863-6582 from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PST or visit www.redcross.ca/2021bcfires.
 
QUICK FACTS

• Thanks to the generosity of Canadians and support from the Province of British Columbia, the Red Cross has distributed more than $5.5 million in evacuation-related emergency financial assistance to more than 4,000 eligible households.
• The Red Cross provided support at 28 sites, including reception or resiliency centres in communities impacted by the fires, and outreach teams deployed to Indigenous and remote communities. Red Cross teams provided information, clean-up kits for their homes, referrals to appropriate local and provincial resources based on their needs, as well as moral support.
• More than 200 Red Cross volunteers and employees supported the response, with dedicated teams continuing to provide support for recovery.
• The Red Cross distributed more than 4,100 emergency supplies, including after-the-fire clean-up kits, hygiene kits, and blankets.
• The Canadian Red Cross family reunification line  received 81 requests for support. In the immediate aftermath of the evacuation of Lytton and area, the Red Cross worked to support Emergency Management B.C. in their efforts to ensure everyone was accounted for and safely reconnected.
• Additional information on Red Cross services can be found at www.redcross.ca/2021bcfires.

QUOTE
“The wildfires that burned across British Columbia this summer will have a lasting impact on those affected. We know from experience that recovery from such a disaster takes time. Thanks to the generosity of Canadians and the provincial and federal governments, the Canadian Red Cross is able to assist the individuals, families, and communities impacted by the fires in their journey to recovery.”   
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: 1-604-709-6747