Red Cross opens collaborative Humanitarian Services Centre in Hinton, Alberta

The Centre is an information and support hub for people impacted by wildfires in Jasper
 
Today, the Canadian Red Cross opened a Humanitarian Services Centre in Hinton, Alberta, that will bring together community organizations and other partners in a collaborative effort to provide essential support for those impacted by the wildfires in Jasper.
 
The Humanitarian Services Centre will serve as a one-stop location for individuals and families as they begin their return to community. At the Centre, people will have access to critical support services, be able to connect with various organizations, and obtain vital information to help guide their next steps for recovering from the wildfires. The Centre will also provide access to basic needs assistance, free items such as hygiene and clean-up kits, referrals to community services, support for navigating health care needs, well-being and psychosocial support, recovery assistance information, as well as safe, child-friendly spaces with recreational activities for kids.
 
“We know from experience that recovery takes a long time. By working closely with our community partners, we’re aiming to help provide the services, advice, and support needed to assist people as they take the next steps in their recovery,” said Amy Avis, chief of emergencies for the Canadian Red Cross. “The Humanitarian Services Centre in Hinton will be a welcoming and safe space for people impacted by the wildfires in Jasper as they make important decisions in the weeks ahead.”
 
The Centre is hosted by the Canadian Red Cross in collaboration with the Municipality of Jasper, the Town of Hinton, and partners including Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance, Community Futures and others. In addition to the Hinton location in Alberta, the Canadian Red Cross is also providing in-person support to people in Edmonton and Calgary, as well as in Valemount, British Columbia. Details on site locations and operating hours are available at www.redcross.ca/albertawildfires.
 
People who have been impacted by the wildfires in Alberta and have not yet registered with the Red Cross are encouraged to do so by going online at www.redcross.ca or by calling 1-800-863-6582 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. MT. 
 
As of August 7, 2024, the Canadian Red Cross has distributed $750 in one-time financial assistance to more than 2,600 households evacuated from their primary residence in Jasper.
 
To date, $10.3 million has been donated to the 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal thanks to the generosity of people living in Canada. Donations to the appeal will be used for assisting those impacted in Jasper and other affected areas in Alberta with immediate and ongoing relief including financial assistance, support to evacuees and the communities hosting them, recovery and resilience efforts in response to the wildfires, as well as supporting community preparedness and risk reduction for future all-hazard disaster events within Alberta.
 
The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta will match every donation made by individual Canadians to the 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal between July 25 and August 24, 2024.
 
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 191 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 CONTACTS
English Media: 1-877-599-9602 and communications@redcross.ca
French Media: 1-888-418-9111 and communication@croixrouge.ca