B.C. is providing the Canadian Red Cross with funding to support emergency disaster relief efforts in Nepal following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake last weekend.

British Columbia’s $300,000 donation will provide urgently needed assistance to communities throughout the country’s worst-hit areas to help support search and rescue operations, food distribution, and the delivery of aids such as blankets, hygiene kits and sleeping mats.

To further support the mission, BC Liquor Stores customers can donate to the Red Cross earthquake relief efforts for Nepal at any of the 196 BC Liquor Stores throughout the province. Customers may make donations of $2 or $5 - or multiples thereof - at any BC Liquor Store checkout through June 6, 2015.

As part of the provincial response efforts, the Medical Services Commission will be waiving the regular three-month waiting period for Medical Services Plan benefits for Canadians who are returning to British Columbia from Nepal, ensuring that they are able to get needed medical care immediately.

With National Emergency Preparedness week - May 3-9 - just around the corner, B.C. will continue to ensure British Columbians have the information they need to compile emergency kits and ensure resilience for their own neighbourhoods.

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

“We know, from our own emergency efforts here at home, that every day and every dollar counts. We’re all in this together - with the same hope that we will be able to help save lives and provide the people of Nepal with the support they need to get through this disaster.”

Liquor Distribution Branch general manager and CEO Blain Lawson -

“BC Liquor Stores have a long history of supporting the Canadian Red Cross, and each one of our 196 locations is a trusted, accessible place to donate.  I encourage our customers to continue their legacy of support by donating to the earthquake relief efforts in Nepal.”

Kimberley Nemrava, B.C. & Yukon director, Canadian Red Cross -

“Our hearts go out to the people of Nepal as they cope with this devastating earthquake. Our sincere thanks to the Province of B.C. for its leadership and support. We also wish to thank the BC Liquor Distribution Branch and its customers donating through BC Liquor Stores. These contributions from people across B.C. will be vital to the emergency response and recovery operation.”

Quick Facts:

• The $300,000 builds on recent support provided by the Province to the Canadian Red Cross, through a partnership which provided emergency field hospital training for the only emergency field hospital in North America. The hospital is designed to be deployed in response to an emergency anywhere in the world on an extremely short time frame.
• The BC Liquor Distribution Branch has a long-term partnership with the Canadian Red Cross.
• Since 2003, BC Liquor Stores customers and employees have supported Red Cross disaster relief by contributing more than $1.7 million for humanitarian crises at home and abroad.

Learn More:

Find a BC Liquor Store in your area to make a donation to the Red Cross relief fund:
www.bcliquorstores.com/store/locator

To learn more about the Canadian Red Cross disaster relief efforts and what you can do, visit:
www.redcross.ca

Are you ready if disaster strikes in your community? Visit Emergency Management BC to find out what you can do to prepare at home: www.gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602