Canadian Red Cross mobilising additional resources as entire community of Kashechewan evacuates

TORONTO, May 12, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Red Cross is mobilising additional resources to support evacuations from Kashechewan as the entire community will now be evacuated. Red Cross volunteers have been working with provincial and municipal officials since Saturday to support an initial 685 evacuees who were flown to Thunder Bay and Greenstone. Efforts will now expand to support remaining community members who have been forced from their homes due to flooding.

"The Canadian Red Cross has been working closely with officials to provide support as the flooding situation along the James Bay coast evolves," said Louise Geoffrion, provincial director of disaster management with the Canadian Red Cross. "We are now readying personnel and supplies to support evacuees who will be hosted in Kapuskasing and the NAV Centre in Cornwall."

Trained disaster management volunteers are registering evacuees and providing for personal needs such as baby supplies and hygiene items..

Kashechewan is a community of approximately 2000 people who will be accommodated in the host communities of Thunder Bay, Greenstone, Kapuskasing and the NAV Centre in Cornwall.

The Red Cross has also implemented a Central Registration and Inquiry Bureau (CRIB) to assist those looking for family members who have been evacuated. The CRIB can be reached at 1-866-797-8875.

The Canadian Red Cross responds to thousands of disasters each year ranging from house fires to winter storms and flooding. The work of the Red Cross is made possible due to a network of trained and dedicated volunteers and the generous support of Canadian individuals and corporations.

SOURCE: Canadian Red Cross

Media Contact: Tanya Elliott: 905-460-7966