Red Cross says it’s raised more than $136 million to date in Fort McMurray recovery

Fundraising continues and so far the Canadian Red Cross says it’s received a total of $136 million in funds for the Fort McMurray recovery, and that’s without the government matching programs.

Two-thousand employees have so far been mobilized. The not-for-profit has also embedded itself in Wood Buffalo to help with re-entry.

“We are still raising money,” said Alberta and Northwest Territories President Jenn McManus. “The Canadian Red Cross is receiving funds that communities have raised from across Canada … the Canadian Red Cross has already committed $165 million to transitional recovery efforts moving forward alongside of Wood Buffalo.”

They plan on moving forward on 4 pillars.

1) Red Cross assistance for financial assistance that was distributed.

2) $50 million distributed in transportation costs to bring evacuees home.

3) $25 million for financial assitance for people after they returned home.

4) $25 million in emergency assistance via cash cards.

“We just had a little while ago the 3 year anniversary with the 2013 floods and we’re still assisting people. We’re going to be in Wood Buffalo for several years to come,” she said.

In the meantime, a song has been written by the Sean McCann from Great Big Sea for the Canadian Red Cross to acknowledge the giving that has happened to help the recovery efforts.

It can be downloaded for free on their website.

“This is a thank you from Shawn himself and the Canadian Red Cross,” she said. “We’re hoping people still support Wood Buffalo and the people of Fort McMurray. We’re ending the emergency phase and beginning many, many years of recovery.”