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A new United Way NWT program will offer three ways to help wildfire recovery and preparedness in the territory’s communities.
The non-profit’s 30-month program will invest $1.472 million in three initiatives to help communities recover from recent fires and build capacity to meet the challenges of future wildfire seasons.
The first initiative is a territorial gathering this coming spring for NWT non-profits, communities and local governments. At the gathering, the parties will talk about their emergency responses in previous fire seasons and build their risk awareness, mitigation, and emergency planning skills.
The second part of the program will see United Way NWT distribute funding to non-profits so they can also develop emergency plans.
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Lastly, communities and Indigenous governments will receive funding to create psycho-social support plans for people affected by the 2023 wildfire season.
The funding United Way NWT is distributing is supported by the federal Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
At the beginning of this year, United Way NWT also launched an Emergency Recovery Fund to help organizations recoup costs incurred during the evacuations. The $600,000 fund was accepting applications until the money was gone.
United Way also distributed $2.3 million to front-line providers during and after the 2023 wildfire season.
