PWRDF to respond to Fort McMurray wildfires

As the city of Fort McMurray sits under a mandatory evacuation notice and wild fires continue to rage around the city, 60,000 people have been forced to flee.  20,000 are expected to arrive in Edmonton today according to the CBC.

“The worst of the fire is not over,” said Bernie Schmitte, manager of Alberta Agriculture and Forestry at a press conference Tuesday evening.  “We’re still faced with very high temperatures, low relative humidity and some strong winds.”

PWRDF will respond through local Anglican channels as the needs become evident in the next few days.  Naba Gurung, PWRDF’s Development and Humanitarian Relief Coordinator, has been in contact with the Dioceses of Athabasca and Edmonton and will continue to liaise with both dioceses throughout this emergency.

The Rev. Lesley Wheeler-Dame of the Parish of the Northern Lights – St. Paul’s Anglican Church told PWRDF that her parish covers 4 community centers and people are offering help to evacuees in whatever way they can.

“The highway is jam packed with vehicles,” said Lesley.  “We’re about 300 km south of Fort McMurray.  It was devastating to see the vehicles- bumper to bumper, covered with ash.  People looking worn out.

“We are offering space for people to stay, to park vehicles, to gather and pray.”

The parishes of Cold Lake and Spruce Grove in the Diocese of Edmonton are doing all they can to respond to the needs of evacuees.

Please continue to pray for those affected by the fires and those battling them.  You can support PWRDF’s relief efforts:

Online:
You can designate your online donation for “Fort McMurray wild fire”.              

By Phone:
For credit card donations contact:
Jennifer Brown
416-924-9192 ext. 355; 1-866-308-7973
Please do not send your credit card number by email or fax.

By Mail:
Please make cheques payable to “PWRDF”, mark them for “Fort McMurray wild fire” and send them to:
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund
The Anglican Church of Canada
80 Hayden Street
Toronto, Ontario  M4Y 3G2

 PWRDF Donations Contact:
Jennifer Brown
416-924-9192 ext. 355; 1-866-308-7973

 PWRDF Humanitarian Response Coordinator:
Naba Gurung
416-924-9199 ext. 321;  1-866-308-7973