A Red Cross study of the evacuees from the Manitoba flood of three years ago reveals...

A Red Cross study of the evacuees from the Manitoba
flood of three years ago finds many are on an “emotional roller-coaster” and not adjusting well to life in Winnipeg. John Byrne, director general of disaster management, said the needs-assessment conducted by the organization found the lengthy evacuation taking its toll. About 2,000 First Nations people were displaced by the 2011 spring flood. “We discovered there were quite a number of people who were distressed over ... being away from their comfortable environment,” Byrne said. “It’s a known fact that in disasters worldwide when people are faced with these disastrous situations and prolonged time away, it can lead people into despair and different forms of relief. It could be alcohol. It could be any form of things.” The evacuees have been living in hotels and rental accommodation. Lake St. Martin reserve has been declared uninhabitable.