Red Cross helps Fort McMurray community groups with $50M

The Red Cross announced Thursday it's committing $50 million to help community organizations within the Fort McMurray region get back on their feet following a massive wildfire that swept through the area a month ago.

This puts the total amount of money the Red Cross has spent or committed since May 3 in the regionat $115 million.

An advisory committee, which will include representatives from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, United Way and Red Cross, will assess what each group needsto avoid a duplication of services.

"We've already been talking to food banks, to of course the organizations affiliated to the United Way, to the YMCAs,"said ConradSauve, president and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross.

"We're working with all these essential committees."

There will also be help for organizations offering mental health supportto people in the community.

"There's going to be a lot of outreach in terms of supporting people and their well-being as well,"Sauve said. "Community groups are important in that respect."

Donations continue to add up

More than $125 million in donations has come in to the Red Cross for Fort McMurray.

Sauve said that total will continue to climb in the days ahead as matching funds from the provincial and federal governments are factored in.

The work of the Red Cross in the Fort McMurray region is far from over, headded.

"Let's remember that we are a month in and we know that it will take much more time for recovery to occur. For some it may take months, for others it may take years and the Red Cross will be here to assist as long as needed."