Largest Canadian Red Cross response since the world wars

It has been an extremely busy 11-months for the Canadian Red Cross, which is assisting hundreds of families still struggling because of Alberta’s floods.

The organization has so far spent $27.5-million helping more than 70,000 people, and calls are continuing to come in.

In terms of money raised, Director General of Disaster Management John Byrne calls it the largest domestic Canadian response since the world wars.

“Just to give an example, last year $42-million dollars was raised here in Calgary compared with $17-million in Lac Megantic, Quebec.  Over 28-million was raised by Canadians for the Philippines disaster,” said Byrne.

The Red Cross knows of 15-hundred homes that were impacted by the floods, and more than half were in High River.

Mayor Craig Snodgross believes the recovery effort in his town will take at least two more years.

“I’m shocked that we’re as far along as we are, but the Red Cross is still opening case files,” said Snodgrass.

He adds everyone in High River is grateful for the organization’s help.

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