Lac-Mégantic: How your donations are being spent

Thanks to the generosity of Canadians like you, the Canadian Red Cross has so far been able to help more than 1,230 families affected by the train derailment in Lac-Mégantic. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, a Red Cross mobile rapid response unit with essential emergency equipment – more than 700 cots with blankets, pillows and hygiene kits – was sent immediately to provide shelter for people who had lost their homes. Red Cross volunteers were on hand, setting up shelter, helping families reunite and distributing relief items to people like Gérard and Monique. Their home is in the Red Zone, and they were barely able to escape the fire. They’ve been staying at the Red Cross shelter, where volunteers have been providing them with food, clothing and a warm place to sleep each night.

“This is the first time I have seen something like this. When you’ve never been through a disaster, you don’t know what happens...the help we get here is wonderful,” says Gérard.

As the community of Lac-Mégantic starts to recover from the train derailment, our work will continue meeting such essential needs as food, clothing, shelter, personal services, health care and household products. We’re lending a hand to families during back-to-school because we know that it’s always a bit of a budget challenge.  We’re also providing support for small businesses to get back on their feet. Families in mourning will also receive assistance, such as for funeral expenses, and children who have lost a parent will receive a grant for school.

In the long term, the Canadian Red Cross is committed to helping the people of Lac-Mégantic recover, for however long it takes. As of August 12^th, more than $9.7 million has now been donated by generous individuals and corporations, allowing us to continue our work. Canadians can still donate by going here.

The Red Cross is committed to ensuring that the cost of fundraising does not exceed 5 per cent. For every dollar donated, a minimum of 95 cents goes directly to those in need.

For a detailed update about where your donations are going for the Lac-Mégantic relief efforts, click here.