More money available for Alberta fire victims from P.E.I. Red Cross

Red Cross officials on P.E.I. are expecting a busy time ahead as new money has been announced to help people who were affected by the Fort McMurray wildfire.

The Canadian Red Cross announced Monday that $40 million has been set aside to help evacuees as they return home.

The provincial director of the Canadian Red Cross on P.E.I., Laura Montigny, saidthe money will help with transportation, accommodation, household goods and resettlement costs

"So we have set up a travel agency that is arranging for flight transportation," said Montigny."We also have volunteers set up here at our service centre if people are driving home where we can assist with kilometres, transportation as well as accommodations."

"And we also have another option available for people that are for example going to stay in the province of P.E.I. for the next few weeks while maybe a partner readies their home to return to."

Red Cross contactingaffected families

Once people do get back to their homes in Alberta, there will be $300 available per household and $50 for each additional person in that household,Montignynoted.

Sixty-sevenfamilies affected by the fire have registered with the Red Cross on P.E.I.,said Montigny, andvolunteers are calling all of them to let them know about the additional funding.

A needs assessment will be done and then money transferred into their accounts.

Tuesday, May 31is the last day that the federal government is matching individual donations.

More than $200,000 has come in to the service centre on P.E.I. but that does not include online, text donations or corporate donations, said Montigny.

• MORE P.E.I. STORIES IMan faces multiple charges following vehicle sale altercation
• MORE P.E.I. STORIES IEastern P.E.I. lodge to build more nursing care beds