The Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) pro-g ram for AugustSeptember 2008 flooding in the Interlake-Westlake region will increase to $3 million from $670,000, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Steve Ashton, minister responsible for emergency measures, and Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk have announced.
“The provincial government has more information on the extent of claims and damages filed by municipalities, small businesses, farms and private individuals. This additional provincial funding adds to agricultural assistance programs managed by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI),” said Ashton.
“This financial commitment will help producers in the Interlake as they get ready to start another busy growing season,” said Wowchuk. “The hardships producers endured due to overland flooding last year were significant, but our government has been there every step of the way and today we are building on our commitment to provide help to producers in the Interlake.”
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Up to $3 million will now be made available for infrastructure, private property and farm damage including bales, as well as land restoration needed as a result of heavy rains throughout the Interlake and Westlake from Aug. 20 to Sept. 2.
The province had established a preliminary program for the rural municipalities of Alonsa, Armstrong, Bifrost, Eriksdale, Fisher, Gimli, Grahamdale and Siglunes. Agricultural producers may also have access to a variety of support programs available through MAFRI. For more information, producers should contact their local GO Team representative or go to www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture.
Disaster financial assistance is generally available for evacuation costs, costs to prevent or limit imminent damage and for non-insurable damage to essential property such as principal residences, buildings and other non-insurable losses essential to the opera-t ion of el igible farms and small businesses. Individuals are encouraged to seek assistance first through individual insurance claims.
More information is available online at www.manitobaemo.caor by contacting the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization at 204-945-3050 or 1-888-267-8298 (toll free). Applications are also available at most municipal offices.
