CALGARY AB, Aug. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - Samaritan's Purse, already operating two wildfire evacuation centers in British Columbia's Thompson-Okanagan and Central Okanagan regions, is adding more staff and disaster relief equipment in Kelowna to clean up damaged properties and search for anything that survived the flames.
About 150 homes were damaged or destroyed by the wildfire that ravaged West Kelowna and area. In response to an invitation from Kelowna emergency management authorities, we are sending a convoy of vehicles and staff to the city to equip volunteer teams to remove dangerous debris, haul away spoiled appliances, and sift through the ashes of homes for surviving possessions. All of this is at no cost to the residents.
That convoy will include one of our Calgary-based Disaster Relief Unit tractor trailers, which are specially equipped with safety and clean-up equipment, plus an office to coordinate volunteers and accept requests for help.
Homeowners needing help with their home or property can call 1-866-628-6565. Anyone who wants to volunteer with Samaritan's Purse should visit SamaritansPurse.ca.
"Our experience helping fire victims has taught us that the opportunity for residents to return to their homes with trained volunteers to safely sift through rubble and recover whatever wasn't burned is a critical step in their recovery," said Tammy Suitor, Canadian disaster relief manager for Samaritan's Purse Canada. "We are honored to be able to help."
The Christian disaster relief organization already has 12 disaster relief specialists operating the Kelowna evacuation center, at the request of B.C. Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, and another seven staffing an evacuation center in Kamloops.
In the Northwest Territories, all 20,000 residents of Yellowknife have been forced to leave their homes because of approaching wildfires. Many of them went to Alberta, and Samaritan's Purse is working with the province's Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre to find ways to support them.
In recent years, Samaritan's Purse has helped people suffering from disasters Canada and worldwide, including Hurricane Fiona in Prince Edward Island in 2022, a massive 2021 hailstorm in Calgary; 2021 flooding in two British Columbia cities and a catastrophic wildfire in Lytton, B.C., 2018 flooding in Grand Forks B.C. and St. John, NB; 2017 flooding in Vernon, B.C. and wildfires in Ashcroft and Williams Lake, B.C.; flooding in New Brunswick in 2014, 2012, 2010 and 2008; the catastrophic 2016 wildfire in Fort McMurray, AB; and flooding in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, southern Alberta, and Nova Scotia.
Donations Needed
To support Samaritan's Purse's disaster relief efforts, please visit SamaritansPurse.ca (click on "Donate") or call 1-800-663-6500.
Our sister organization, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, often works alongside by providing crisis-trained volunteer chaplains to comfort and pray with volunteers, first responders, and people impacted by disaster. Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains are accompanying Samaritan's Purse staff in Kelowna.
About Samaritan's Purse Canada
Samaritan's Purse is a Christian relief and development organization that takes its name from Jesus Christ's biblical story of the Good Samaritan. Like that Good Samaritan, who found a beaten man and helped restore him, we aid victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution. Besides disaster relief, our work includes collecting and distributing gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, providing safe water, teaching vocational skills, and providing agricultural supplies and training to families in the developing world. Learn more at SamaritansPurse.ca.
SOURCE Samaritan's Purse Canada
News Media Inquiries: Frank King, news media relations manager, Samaritan's Purse Canada, 403-990-0161 (mobile), [email protected]
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