Evacuees from the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba are facing worsening hardships weeks after wildfires forced them from their homes. Among them is Edgar Spence, who now keeps a bundle of meal receipts from three different Winnipeg hotels where his family has had to cover food costs largely out-of-pocket. While some accommodations have provided meals, Spence says his family has been left to “feed ourselves” most of the time.
So far, over 21,000 people displaced by the fires have registered with the Canadian Red Cross, which is supposed to provide emergency accommodations and meals. But due to Winnipeg hotel shortages, many evacuees are being placed in private residences and campgrounds, without consistent access to food.
Pimicikamak Chief David Monias said while the Red Cross has started covering food costs for evacuees outside their official hotel network, the response has been slow, leaving the community to bear the costs. Incident commander Ryan Castel confirmed that some evacuees are now skipping meals due to lack of funds, and even when meals are provided, the food is often not culturally appropriate.
Pimicikamak has paid for a catering company to distribute meals to around 800 people, but with evacuees scattered across 19 hotels, reaching everyone is a growing challenge. Castel warns that the community is running out of money to continue the support.
Compounding the problem is a delay in the provincial per diem — $34 for adults and $27 for children — which was promised by Manitoba but is still not being received by some evacuees. Although officials claim meals are being provided through shelters and hotels, Castel insists many families are still going hungry.
Both Castel and Monias say the situation is becoming critical. “A lot of our people are suffering,” Castel said, stressing the urgency of returning evacuees home as soon as it is safe.
Swifteradio.com
