The Boston Flats trailer park was reduced to rubble after the Ashcroft Reserve fire last summer.
Image Credit: FILE PHOTO
June 26, 2018 - 11:36 AM
KAMLOOPS - The Canadian Red Cross is still helping individuals and families affected by last year's wildfires in B.C. that forced 65,000 people from their homes.
The Canadian Red Cross along with the B.C. government provided an update on the relief and recovery still taking place from the 2017 wildfires today, June 26.
According to a media release issued by the Canadian Red Cross, the organization has spent $119.3 million helping individuals and families who are still experiencing challenges from the 2017 wildfires.
“It’s been almost a year since B.C. experienced the most destructive wildfires in the province’s history and recovery is ongoing,” Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says in the release.
The B.C. Fires Appeal Fund reached a total of $162.2 million in contributions from the provincial and federal governments, along with donations by Canadians.
To date, 74 per cent of the money has been spent. Red Cross caseworkers continue to meet with individuals and families experiencing unmet needs from the wildfires and people are encouraged to reach out if they struggling.
The Canadian Red Cross says it will continue to provide support to homeowners who have experienced damage or destruction to their homes as well as reconstruction assistance. Situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Kimberly Nemrava, vice-president of the Canadian Red Cross for British Columbia and the Yukon, says recovering after the wildfires can be a long process.
“The Red Cross recognizes that recovery from a disaster can take years, and individuals and businesses will be impacted in different ways,” Nemrava says in the release. “Together with our partners, Red Cross continues to adapt and align our recovery programs to best support British Columbians along their road to recovery.”
Approximately $90 million of the money in the fund was allocated to support individuals and families and $62.1 million has been spent to date.
For the full financial summary as of May 31, go here.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Karen Edwards or call (250) 819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2018