Fort McMurray evacuees line up by the hundreds in Calgary for government-issued debit cards

On the first day1,100 Fort McMurraywildfire evacuees showed up to two Calgary locations providingemergency financial assistance from the province.

Lineups formed shortly after the Alberta government announced it wouldhand out debit cards at the Red and White Club at McMahon Stadium and at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park.

When Tanuj Grover, his wife and four-year-old-son were forced to flee Fort McMurray, they left with little more than the clothes on their backs.

As he heads to the Red and White Club, he says the debit cards will help.

"This money is pretty important to us," Grover said.

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ChrisClearyand his family fled the northern oil and gas community with only two suitcases

At the B-MO centre, he says this money will help them bridge the gap as he prepares to return to work in theoilsands

"Clothing, food for my family, stuff like that, toiletries,"Clearyexplained.

Joanne Murphy says every dollar counts when you're living out of suitcases.

"You're sort of stranded. You're looking for housing. All of your meals are out."

The cards are one-time payments of $1,250 for eligible adults and $500for children under 18.

Both locations wereopen from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

They will be open again May 12-19, from8 a.m.to8 p.m. each day, and then on May 20 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Premier Rachel Notley urged people who don't need the money right awayto wait for at least a day before seeking a debit card, to allow those with no immediate access to funds to get theirs as quickly as possible.

"There are enough debit cards for every evacuee," Notley said.

Red Cross also issuing funds

The debit cards are in addition to funds the Canadian Red Cross will soon start providing to registered evacuees of Fort McMurray.

Red Cross chief executive ConradSauve said Wednesday that those funds which amount to$600 per adult and $300 per child will be transferred electronicallywithin 24 to 48 hoursto people who have already registered with the relief agency.

The transfers are expected to total $50 million, fromthe $67 million Canadians have donated to the Red Cross.

The Red Cross said this is just the first phase of its assistance to Fort McMurray evacuees andmore funds will be provided in the future.