The last few weeks have been incredibly challenging for British Columbians.

Like you, we are heartbroken by the ongoing emergencies in communities throughout the province. We know that many of you have friends, family members or loved ones who have been impacted by these floods — and some of you may have been impacted yourselves. Our hearts and our support are with you.

Our BC NDP government has declared a state of emergency in order to facilitate rescue, roadwork, and transporting essential goods, supplies and aid to impacted areas. Municipal governments are providing information in their communities, and updates are also available through Premier John Horgan’s Twitter account, and through your BC NDP MLA’s social media accounts.

If you and your family are impacted by these floods, resources are available now.

• Disaster Financial Assistance is now available for eligible British Columbians in southwest, central, and southeast areas of the province and Vancouver Island who have been impacted by the floods and landslides between November 14 to 16. Support is available for homeowners, residential tenants, business owners, local governments, Indigenous communities, farmers and charitable organizations that were unable to obtain insurance to cover disaster-related losses.
• The Evacuee Registration and Assistance online platform is available to those who have been told to register for Emergency Support Services. Those who haven’t been instructed to self register should follow instructions provided in their evacuation alert, or contact a local emergency program.
• Other important sources of information are available from EmergencyInfoBC.
• The BC SPCA is working to assist pet guardians who have been evacuated due to flooding by providing supplies and pet food. Flood evacuees who need emergency pet boarding can contact 1.855.622.7722.
• CUPE BC members who are experiencing hardship due to the recent floods can apply for funding support through their local.

If you're looking for ways to support your friends, neighbours and communities, New Democrats have your back.

As flood waters rose, many in our New Democrat family sprung into action to compile resources and information to connect people who want to help with people who need it. They've compiled a short, but not exhaustive, list of ways you can help, and we're happy to share that here with you.

Where you can donate

• The Canadian Red Cross is working to get people into impacted areas to provide humanitarian aid. Donations will help provide relief and recovery at the individual and community level.
• The United Way is providing critical relief and urgent recovery efforts. Donations will help those who are displaced, or have lost housing, belongings or employment.
• The Labourers’ International Union of North America Local 1611 is accepting goods and financial donations at its head office in Surrey for displaced people in the Fraser Valley.
• Food Banks BC provides links and contact info for community food banks that may need donations or support. It is also taking donations.
• Archway Food Bank in Abbotsford is looking for food items, or financial support to help with increased costs to its supply line because of the floods. It also has a list of most in demand food items.
• Kirpa Collective is a group of Abbotsford working together to provide hot meals to local evacuees and volunteers, and providing volunteers for efforts like sandbagging. The collective is collecting and buying supplies for people in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope, Merritt, Kamloops, Lytton, Boston Bar, Nooaitch Band, Nicomen Bands, and anywhere else they can go via truck or air.
• The Migrant Rights Network is supporting migrant farm workers displaced by the floods, and accepting donations to provide supplies and pre-paid cards directly to farmworkers, who often don’t qualify for EI.
• The BC Search & Rescue Association accepts donations and has been diligently providing support rescuing people in Abbotsford.
• Disaster Aid Canada is providing storm emergency support and collecting donations to help impacted communities.

Please note:Emergency Management BC is currently recommending people who want to support impacted communities provide monetary donations to organizations like the United Way, the Canadian Red Cross, and food banks, rather than providing goods, unless a community has made a specific request.

Thank you to the thousands of you who have already stepped up and responded with strength and kindness.

Your support, by helping sandbag, offering shelter in your home, or by helping get people back to their community, or by the many other ways you’ve shown you care is a bright light in these dark times.

By looking out for each other, we will get through this together.