Canadian financial institutions have pledged their support to the Canadian Red Cross to assist with their current disaster response operations in western Canada.

In Alberta, heavy rainfall caused flooding that has damaged more than 2,000 homes and affected thousands of residents in more than 30 communities. The high water levels and persistent severe weather that continues to hover over the Prairies now threatens residents in parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Red Cross workers are helping those affected by registering evacuees and assessing their short-term and long-term needs, helping provide shelter and food, distributing clean-up kits, and providing essential items for basic needs.

From June 29 to July 29, Canadians can donate to this effort at branches of the following banks throughout the country:
BMO Bank of Montreal; Laurentian Bank of Canada; Scotiabank; National Bank of Canada; Canadian Western Bank; RBC Royal Bank; CIBC; TD Canada Trust; and HSBC Bank Canada.

Corporate and individual donations and pledges to the Red Cross fund now top $118,000.

Money in the fund is already being put into action in the affected communities. “We’re meeting with flood-affected residents in Alberta to assess their individual situation — especially the hardest hit, who may not have the capacity to meet their immediate or long-term needs,” says Richard Kies, Red Cross public affairs coordinator in Western Canada.

The response to the need from local and national businesses has been strong. Canadians can contribute to the Red Cross Western Canada Floods & Severe Weather Response 2005 online at www.redcross.ca.