A large part of the recovery from the severe storm that swept through Estevan, bringing 120 mm of rain, has been facilitated by the Canadian Red Cross. The aid organization implemented a number of measures to help citizens of Estevan get back to normal after flooding from the storm damaged property in many areas across the city.
The Red Cross gave out a multitude of cleanup kits to those affected by the flood. According to Chris Clemett, communications manager for the Canadian Red Cross, a total of 133 cleanup kits were given to residents of Estevan. An additional 50 more were left in Estevan, to be handed out on an as-needed basis by the city.
“We are still supporting some families in Estevan,” said Clemett. “As a number of homes did receive significant damage, due to the flood, we’ll continue to support those families with the recovery in the next few weeks.”
Dave Kyba, provincial manager of disaster management with the Saskatchewan Red Cross, explained that when a disaster occurs, the aid the the organization gives is in two separate phases: the relief phase and the recovery phase.
“The very first thing is the relief phase. We provide emergency social services. That is food, shelter, clothing, personal services, and anything to stabilize that immediate period of time following a disaster,” said Kyba. “We do registration, which accounts for people, in case families are separated during a disaster, to make sure everyone is accounted for, and maybe bring family members together if they’re separated.”
The relief phase also entails the initial stages of cleanup. Estevan is now in the recovery phase, in terms of what aid it is receiving from the Red Cross.
Kyba said that the recovery phase entails the longer-term rebuilding process that follows the relief phase. The recovery phase entails aid workers consulting those affected, and formulating a long-term plan for rebuilding, and doing what needs to be done to get back to a pre-disaster state.
“In other words, we ask how we can help them. Maybe it’s housing, maybe it’s providing support for a longer period of time,” said Kyba. “If there was a job loss, maybe it’s ensuring they can connect with EI.Very often we perform an advocacy role.”
Kyba cited the 2011 floods as another example of the Red Cross providing long-term assistance in the relief and recovery stages.
“In 2011, there was major flooding in southeast Saskatchewan, in Estevan, Weyburn, Roche Percee and Bienfait. Those areas took a major hit. We were active in the area during the relief and the longer recovery,” said Kyba. “The flooding this time was a little more limited to the City of Estevan. We provide things like initial hotel support for people who found themselves without friends or family they could turn to.”
Kyba said the Red Cross doesn’t anticipate as large a case load as the one they encountered in 2011, because, this year, “People seem to be very resilient, and much more prepared this time around. In terms of the total recovery numbers for the City of Estevan, we don’t see it being as major as it was back in 2011.”
