Red Cross launches appeal for donations as wildfires burn across B.C.
Posted August 18, 2018 7:07 am.
Last Updated August 18, 2018 7:13 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – As wildfires continue to rage across British Columbia, forcing a number of people from their homes, the Canadian Red Cross is looking to you for help.
The organization is appealing to the public for financial donations, to help those affected by fires when they start their “recovery journeys.”
“Financial donations, those are the most effective and most flexible in being able to help people in a timely way,” explains Kimberley Nemreva, the vice president responsible for B.C. and the Yukon for the Canadian Red Cross.
“With these fires right now, the government Emergency Social Services assistance is supporting them while they’re evacuated.This funding would be used to support people as they re-enter and start on their recovery journey.”
A similar appeal was made last year, when B.C. saw its worst ever wildfire season on record. More than 1.2 million hectares was scorched, and tens of thousands were displaced.
“Just over $20-million was raised for B.C. fires directly through the Red Cross in 2017.”
Nemreva says while wildfires are affecting a very wide area, the situation this year isn’t quite as bad as it was last year.
“So far we haven’t had the same impact on populated centres, so there’s less people affected. Of course, that’s where Red Cross really steps in to support the local authorities and regional and provincial governments in supporting the people affected.”
You can donate at www.redcross.ca, by calling 1.800.418.1111, or by visiting your local Red Cross office.
