Red Cross announces community outreach strategy for those affected by Alberta floods

(Calgary,): Canadian Red Cross today outlined how it will help affected residents recover from the largest floods in Alberta’s history.

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“The road to recovery is long and sometimes extremely tough,” said John Byrne, Canadian Red Cross Disaster Management Director General. “As the waters recede, Red Cross is committed to being here to help people recover – whatever their needs, and however long it takes.” Working with the provincial and municipal governments and partners, Red Cross will:

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• assist in the management of seven shelters,
• set up a community grant program to address existing and anticipated strain on community social service agencies, such as food banks,
• organize the distribution of basic necessity packages and clean-up kits to families throughout the affected communities,
• continue to reach out to people affected to find out their immediate and long-term needs,
• continue to provide family reunification to those affected by the floods, and
• continue to provide registration services to assist the Government of Alberta in identifying households affected by the ongoing flooding.

As soon as the disaster struck, Red Cross volunteers and staff took action, working immediately with provincial and municipal governments and agencies, as well as corporate partners to provide safety messages to those affected, support shelters to those displaced, provide registration and family reunification services, and help prepare communities who were in the path of the flood. To date, hundreds of highly trained, experienced Canadian Red Cross volunteers from Alberta and across Canada have been brought in to help. Red Cross has also brought in specialists from American Red Cross and international Red Cross to join our volunteers from across Canada. Additional volunteers will be required in the coming days on a short term basis. Those interested in volunteering can do so through [url=http://www.redcross.ca/volunteerforalberta]http://www.redcross.ca/volunteerforalberta[/url]. Through people’s generosity, Red Cross has raised over $10.2 million so far for this response. In this first critical week, Red Cross has allocated $3.5 million to help provide immediate relief and comfort to those affected. But recovery efforts could take up to several years. Financial contributions are greatly appreciated as they provide the most flexible, fast and efficient way of helping those in need. Canadians are encouraged to contribute to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Floods fund by going online at www.redcross.ca or by calling 1-800-418-1111.

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