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Chief Leo Friday of the Kashechewan First Nation in Ontario has declared a state of emergency due to the risk of flooding of the Albany River.
The chief has requested an emergency shelter be set up in the community, as well as supplies, food and water, cots and blankets, a cook and shelter staff, as well as response people to help.
The emergency declaration states there are 1,000 people sheltering in the bush due to COVID-19, but the remaining members in the community are at risk. There leaves a lack of support in community now to assist them.
The community is asking for assistance to set up the emergency shelter with the help of four to six Canadian Rangers, a northern component of the Canadian Armed Forces. This assistance will include help with cargo, set up of cots and the layout of the area, movement of people and materials, as well as maintaining safety within the community.
Kashechewan First Nation wants to mitigate risk to vulnerable people in the community as water levels rise and the risk of flooding increases, and includes a need for language support and mental health issues.
The duration of the event is May 5 to May 20 or when river conditions have abated and the risk of flooding has subsided and people are able to return to their homes or the risk elevates to the point it requires evacuation from the community.