Wildfire Recovery Fund
Bringing together the power of many to help those affected by BC Wildfires.
With your donation to United Way BC’s Wildfire Recovery Fund, we can provide immediate and long-term support to communities most affected by BC Wildfires.
Your donations helps us support a variety of programs and essential supports that are critical to BC residents as they recover emotionally and physically from the devastation of wildfires within our local communities. Funds go towards addressing important needs like food assistance, trauma, and mental health support.
Our Impact
United Way British Columbia has evolved over the years, embracing an expanded role that tackles critical social issues at the local level. Increasingly this has included responding to emergency events like wildfires.
We have seen an increasing number of wildfires each year, affecting communities in devastating ways. Statistically speaking, 2023 was the worst wildfire season on record.
Our assistance doesn’t stop when the immediate crisis ends. We are committed to the well-being of our communities and work alongside those affected through recovery to help create long-term sustainability. Through our programs like Hi Neighbour and 211 British Columbia, we can respond quickly and work with community leaders and partners to meet needs.
To learn more about our impact please read the below reports.
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United for BC Wildfire Recovery Fund Report 2021
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United for BC Wildfire Recovery Fund: 2023 Wildfires Report
Resources
Visit our Emergency Response Resource page to download preparedness guides and more information.
Impact Stories
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United for Resilience: How Community and Support Rebuilt Hope After Wildfires
In the Summer of 2023, Fern moved to the North Shuswap with her five kids when the devastating Bush Creek wildfire raged through.
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Walking in Right Relations: United for the Journey
September 30 is the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, a day dedicated to honouring the survivors, families, and communities affected by Canada’s residential school system. It’s a day for reflection, education, and action.
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From Wildfire Devastation to Resilience and Food Security
Frequently Asked Questions
In response to the impact BC wildfires are having on communities, United Way has launched the United for BC Wildfire Recovery Fund campaign to raise funds that will address important social needs like food assistance, trauma and mental health supports, and rebuilding social infrastructure.
United Way is in a unique position as we have connections within all affected areas through our community partners and positions on collaborative tables throughout the region. With an “ear to the ground” we are able to nimbly respond to the needs as they arise from our funded partners and communities we serve.
Grants from the United for BC Wildfire Recovery Fund will support those who are displaced or have lost housing, belongings and/or employment, suffered physical or mental health trauma, as well as for the provision of health and safety education. The Fund will run throughout the wildfire season ensuring local people have access to urgent aid, and as emergency needs are reduced, support for recovering and rebuilding their lives.
This includes:
- Basic needs assistance: Providing basic support and assistance to protect the safety and lives of people directly impacted.
- Food security: Through United Way BC’s existing Food Hubs and Hi Neighbour program, the Fund will provide meals to wildfire evacuees and first responders across BC. Donations will support the procurement, packaging and delivery of goods and services to vulnerable BC communities in need.
- Mental health support: Providing mental health services and trauma counselling to those directly impacted by wildfires as they work to rebuild their lives and recover.
- Pop-up day camps for kids: Developing therapeutic day camps for children in wildfire-impacted communities to help them have a sense of normalcy this summer, receive trauma-informed care and education, and help mitigate any learning losses.
- Legal services to low-income families: Supporting families to access and navigate legal services regarding home and personal insurance.
- Social connection: Providing social activities for citizens who have lost their communities. This may include community dinners, trauma support groups and Indigenous learning circles.
- Grants for recovery and social rebuilding: Providing grants to non-profit agencies and institutions in surrounding areas to support additional evacuee capacity and support.
As with all funds received, United Way BC is committed to transparency in dollars raised and distributed as a part of the Wildfire Recovery Fund. Dollars will be invested into local initiatives and programs across the Province that support all recovery efforts as a result of the wildfires. United Way is committed to distributing all funds in a timely manner and to report out to donors and partners how their dollars have been invested. Find copies of our most recent financial statements here.
