Charity returns to Fort Mac with help

Fort Mcmurray area residents are receiving two semi-trailer loads of flood and pandemic aid from a Calgary-based charity.

Exactly four years after it brought relief to wildfire refugees in the region, Samaritan’s Purse is returning with more assistance for thousands of people driven from their homes after ice-jammed rivers spilled their banks.

“We’re on the ground, connecting with churches and other community partners as we provide compassionate, co-ordinated assistance,” said the charity’s Canadian ministries project director Brent Davis.

Flooding began late last month when ice jams backed up the Athabasca, Peace and Vermilion Rivers, forcing the evacuation of more than 1,300 people and impacting nearly 1,500 structures in the region.

Many of the evacuation orders were lifted last weekend and residents began trickling back to assess the damage and begin the task

We’re ready to do all we can to help the people there and in Fort Vermilion recover from these floods.

of cleaning up.

One person was killed by the rapidly-rising waters that sent some residents scrambling for safety.

Davis noted the area was still recovering from the May 2016 wildfires that sent 80,000 fleeing and damaged or destroyed more than 2,600 buildings.

“I can’t imagine how traumatic this must be for both communities,” said Davis. “We’re ready to do all we can to help the people there and in Fort Vermilion recover from these floods.”

Samaritan’s Purse semi-borne disaster relief units deliver pumps, generators, hand tools and COVID-19 personal protection equipment.

The tractor-trailers also provide co-ordination centres with communication systems that help organize local volunteers in the relief effort.

Disaster response teams are accompanying each unit, said the charity.