Canadian Red Cross is collecting donations to help those affected by the landslide in Johnsons Landing.
Kimberley Nemrava, BC director for the Canadian Red Cross, said donations will be used to provide basic needs to people who were evacuated following the July 11 landslide. The non-profit organization can provide people with food, clothing and shelter, as well as other essentials.
“When people evacuate quickly, there are many basic things they may have left behind. Maybe they lost their prescription glasses or need some equipment in order to go back to work — those are things the Red Cross can help out with,” Nemrava explained. “Often people just need a hand up after something like this.”
Since the landslide, Red Cross has operated a resiliency centre in Johnsons Landing to support people affected by the disaster.
“The resiliency centre is a place people can come and find out what type of aid is available, and talk to case workers about what they experienced and receive support,” Nemrava said.
She expects the centre will remain on scene for another week or so and during that time volunteers in the community will be trained to continue offering similar support after Red Cross leaves the area.
Donations made to the Red Cross for Johnsons Landing go into its Western Canada severe weather fund, which may also be used to fund similar response efforts.
“If all the money isn’t needed specifically for Johnsons Landing it will be used for other cases that may not be in the news as much, where people still need the same type of humanitarian response,” Nemrava said.
To donate to the Red Cross online go to redcross.ca/severeweather. Donations can also be dropped off at any Kootenay Savings Credit Union branch or at the Kootenay Co-op in Nelson.
Digerati in Nelson is also collecting donations specifically for a resident who lost her Macbook in the landslide.