Ottawa replenishes fund for humanitarian groups as climate disasters take their toll

The federal government is setting aside $82 million over three years to replenish a fund for humanitarian groups responding to climate-related disasters.

Emergency Preparedness Secretary Bill Blair said the government relies on the work of non-governmental organizations to deliver humanitarian aid in climate-related emergencies.

The government says the additional $82 million will be spent helping organizations such as the Red Cross, The Salvation Army and St. John Ambulance recruit and train staff, purchase supplies and cover other operational needs .

The fund was established during the pandemic for non-governmental organizations involved in Canadian response efforts.

“It’s a strong reminder that the frequency and severity of climate-related disasters are increasing every year,” Blair said. “The humanitarian organizations present here today play a key role in that response.”

It also reflects a shift in how humanitarian nongovernmental organizations operate in Canada, said Canadian Red Cross president and CEO Conrad Sauvé.

“Looking back a decade ago, the Canadian Red Cross’s work in large-scale disasters and emergencies was largely overseas,” he said.

“Large events in Canada were seen as an exception… Then things quickly changed.”

Sauvé said the vast majority of Canadian Red Cross operations are now domestic – responding to floods, fires and other disasters from coast to coast.

In recent months, the Red Cross has been asked to administer cash payment programs to Nova Scotians and Prince Edward Islanders affected by forest fires And post-tropical storm Fiona.

Sauvé said his organization is open to such requests for help, which began with the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires.

Blair said this year has already been the worst for wildfires in recorded Canadian history. There are now about 900 fires burning and an area the size of Newfoundland has gone up in flames so far this year.

Other countries, such as Germany, have federal agencies of volunteers to help with disaster relief efforts.

Blair did not rule out the creation of a similar program, but said organizations eligible for this funding may be better suited to fill that role.

“We’re looking at what everyone is doing in response because we’ve seen an increase in the frequency and severity of these events globally,” he said.

“But I also think it’s important to look very closely at the Canadian context and look at the organizations that already exist in this country, and how we can build capacity within them.”