Canada Wildfire Relief Fund

Thank you—we cannot express our gratitude enough. 2023 will be remembered for its record-breaking and devastating fire season. Starting early and ending late, Canada experienced wildfires on an unprecedented scale. More than 18.4 million hectares were consumed by fire and more than 6,500 individual blazes were recorded. The damage inflicted surpassed the total area burned from 2015 to 2022 combined. This year's devastation not only set a new record but also exceeded the previous high mark by more than 2.5 times, forcing nearly one out of every 200 Canadians to evacuate their homes. These fires are yet another example of the impacts of the climate crisis as extreme weather patterns that drive fires like these become more common.

Together with more than 300 other people from around the world, you helped to raise more than $30,000 to support wildfire relief and recovery.  Your generous support helped power two flexible grants to trusted and vetted  nonprofit organizations at the forefront of this crisis in some of the most fire-affected areas:

• Second Harvest Canada is the largest food rescue organization operating across Canada. It played a critical role in supporting communities near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. In response to the surge in food insecurity caused by the fires, Second Harvest swiftly coordinated efforts to deliver critical food supplies to rural communities isolated by the fires. Recognizing the urgent needs of displaced families, the organization provided essential food vouchers to assist those forced to evacuate and contributed volunteer aid and additional supplies to local food pantries, enhancing their capacity to effectively serve the community during this challenging period.

• Grande Prairie Friendship Centre has been a pillar for Indigenous communities since 1965 and was a crucial resource during the 2023 wildfire crisis. The organization provided essential services, including shelter, culturally sensitive meals from their community kitchen, and a donation area with clothing and hygiene kits for evacuees. Its Kiwewin Housing Support Program has been instrumental in preventing evictions, providing access to affordable housing, and connecting individuals with cultural and employment resources. Its Pikiskwetan mental health program has also supported community members struggling with stress and anxiety caused by the wildfires, offering individual and group therapy. Looking ahead, the organization is investing in preparedness to further build the community's resilience for the upcoming 2024 wildfire season.

Your support of the 2023 Canada Wildfire Relief Fund is advancing community-led recovery, and it helps ensure trusted organizations, like Second Harvest Canada, receive critical resources to help fire-affected communities rebuild and prepare for future disasters.  

This fund is now closed and is no longer accepting donations. This will be the last fund report of this kind from our team. You can stay connected with our work through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and our Learn Library, where we regularly share stories about the incredible impact of the powerful GlobalGiving community. We hope you’ll stay in touch!  

With gratitude,

Victoria  + the GlobalGiving Team