Donations to help Kugaaruk after school fire face transportation bottleneck

• UPDATE: This story has been updated with informationon how to donate money to Kugaaruk. Scroll down for details.

Donations and offers to help teachers and students get back to classare pouring into Kugaaruk, Nunavut, after itlost its only school to a fire last week.

But there is concern that the generosity of Canadianscould lead toa bottleneck of good will.

• 13-year-old charged with arson in Kugaaruk school fire

• After the fire: Kugaaruk attempts to rebound after losing only school

Kugaaruk is a fly-in community at the end of a long transportation line, making it difficult to bring goods into the hamlet of about 950 people.

Flights leave Yellowknife a couple of times a week and can stop first in Cambridge Bay, GjoaHaven, and Taloyoakbefore arriving in Kugaaruk.

"We had to slow down with charity and donations because transportation means are not prepared for this kind of disaster and this magnitude of charity," said Jerry Maciuk, principal of Kugaardjuq School.

"I was astounded by the immediate reaction from Canada. This is our Canadian spirit."

Maciukis worried that donations could disrupt the transport of food and other essential supplies from getting into the community.

He is also concerned that the limited ability to move cargo could lead to donations being left in warehouses in Yellowknife for weeks.

"Are we going to get food supplies to the store once a week on the plane, or are we going to swamp the plane with donations?" Maciuk said.

"We have to take into consideration how can we get all this charity and donation to our place without wasting it."

However,Maciuksaid if donors choose to send money instead of goods, every penny donated will be accounted for. Chartered accountants in Yellowknife are handling all financial donations.

"I want to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for even the intention of these charities and donations,"Maciuksaid.

"We and other people involved in the accident received so much support."

Contact information

In a news release Wednesday afternoon, the Nunavut government noted that it's responsible for the rebuild and costs associated with replacement of resources and supplies.

But it also offered a name for anyone interested in donating money to help staff or students affected. The government asked people to send donations tothe Kugaaruk District Education Authority through Michael MacIntyrerather than supporting private fundraising efforts.

"Unfortunately, in-kind donations cannot be accepted due to lack of storage space," the release said.