Flooding has caused chaos and distress for many residents of Saskatchewan and the risk is not over yet. At present 933 people are registered with the Red Cross and are displaced from their homes. To date they are being housed in Saskatoon, Yorkton, Broadview, Red Earth, and Regina, as well as with family and friends. The Canadian Red Cross says it is working closely with the Saskatchewan Emergency Management Organization and Emergency Social Services to ensure all evacuees are registered, and that their needs are met.
"The Canadian Red Cross is committed to supporting the most vulnerable people affected by the floods in Saskatchewan for the duration of this disaster," says Kim MacLean, Provincial Disaster Management Lead. "In the past few days, 12 volunteers have already provided more than 70 hours of their time in helping those affected by flooding."
During emergencies such as evacuations due to flooding, the main role of the Red Cross in Saskatchewan is to provide registration and inquiry services, and to reunite families. If communities are evacuated, Red Cross may also provide the following: flood clean-up kits; comfort kits containing basic necessities such as toothbrushes and shampoo for adults, children and infants; and support for shelter operations throughout the province.
Assistance provided by Red Cross will not duplicate assistance provided through insurance, government or other agencies. To date, more than 40 flood clean-up kits have been provided to families to help them clean up the flood damage to their homes.
If you have been evacuated and you have not yet registered with Red Cross please call Red Cross at 1-888-953-FIND (3463).
It is extremely important that all evacuated people be registered so that accurate records of evacuees are available. Should the evacuation situation escalate, this information may be used to help family members to locate one another, and help to determine appropriate levels of assistance and support to ensure all evacuees' needs are met.
