Atlantic Canadians can donate financially online at redcross.ca, or call toll-free 1-800-418-1111 and specify the donation is for the Hurricane Matthew appeal.
They can also visit any local Red Cross office.
Other donor options are anticipated as the extent of damage and relief operations become clear.
“Thousands are now in desperate need of emergency relief, including shelter, water, food and healthcare,” says Hossam Elsharkawi, head of International Operations for the Canadian Red Cross. “Staff and volunteers from our sister Red Cross societies across the Caribbean and Central America have jumped into action to provide immediate aid, and we will be augmenting those efforts.”
Two Canadian Red Cross staff were already in Haiti, helping with ongoing rebuilding and recovery work from the massive earthquake of 2010.
Three more are being immediately sent as part of an international team to assess needs and coordinate a global Red Cross response.
Others are being placed on standby to deploy if needed, including medical and support staff of a field hospital.
The Canadian Red Cross also contributes to a stockpile of tents, blankets, tarps and other emergency relief supplies warehoused at an airport in Panama for rapid deployment anywhere in the Caribbean or Central America, and these supplies are now being readied for shipment to Haiti and other countries in Matthew’s path.
Although the hurricane is still in the Caribbean, it could impact the Atlantic provinces as a less powerful hurricane or post-tropical storm by next Monday. The Red Cross says now is a good time to create or update and practice a household emergency plan.
Tips and templates for such plans are online at redcross.ca/BeReady, or can be accessed from any Apple or Android device by downloading the free Canadian Red Cross BE READY app.
