British Columbia's government declared a province-wide state of emergency on Wednesday, November 17th in light of the record-breaking rainfall that has caused major flooding and several mudslides. Hundreds of people across the province have been left stranded and cut off from supplies due to the destruction of several major highways.

The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest port and the third largest in North America (moving $550 million of cargo every day), meaning its inaccessibility is causing severe food and supply shortages for the rest of British Columbia and other parts of Canada.

Earlier this year, BC experienced more record-breaking weather when a heatwave killed over 600 people and ignited hundreds of forest fires across the province. Natural disasters like this point to the ineffectiveness of colonial governments and the impact of capitalism on our environment.

In the gaps left by governments, people unite in solidarity to support their peers through direct action and mutual aid.

In mutual-aid systems, people work cooperatively to meet the needs of everyone in the community. It’s different from charity, which features a one-way relationship between an organization and recipients, and often responds to the effects of inequality but not its causes. Mutual aid is an act of solidarity that builds sustained networks between neighbors.

The Cut

Mutual Aid Organizing in BC

Post-Flood Mutual Aid for QueerCrip House in Chilliwack

Q needs to leave Chilliwack for medical treatment. Read more.

Send funds to quinelimusiclove@gmail.com or paypal.me/quineli

Mamas for Mamas Vancouver

Mamas for Mamas is a national charitable organization that supports mothers and caregivers in crisis by providing ongoing support to individuals and families facing various poverty-related struggles. They are currently cut off from delivering food to families in the Fraser Valley. Read more.

Send a direct message on Instagram to offer support or donate online.

Sikh Communities Fly Meals out to stranded people

Dozens of volunteers at Surrey's Dukh Nivaran Sahib Gurdwara cooked more than 3000 meals for those stranded in Hope. They're paying for private helicopters to deliver meals (roti, cooked carrots, fruit). Read more.

Drop off non-perishable food:

31631 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC V2T 1T8, Canada

Send donations to info@dukhnivaran.ca.

Support Migrant workers impacted by floods

The floods have displaced hundreds of migrant farmworkers. Many have lost everything, including their income. Access to EI is difficult or impossible, and most workers cannot find work elsewhere because they are on employer-specific work permits. Read more.

Donate here.

Find and Offer Shelter and Donations

Fraser Valley Flood Resource Sheet offers live updates on road conditions as well as offers and requests for temporary shelter.

Find the spreadsheet here.

Help Families Rebuild Their Homes

Many families in the Fraser Valley have lost their homes and valuables due to flooding.

Support them via GoFundMe.

Emergency support for pet owners from the BC SPCA

The BC SPCA has already begun emergency boarding for pets of evacuees at their location in Kamloops and is providing supplies and pet food for those who have been displaced.

To get support call 1-855-622-7722.

Make a donation.

Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund

The Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF), the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce and the University of the Fraser Valley have been following the impact of the flooding. In response, they have jointly established the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund. This fund will support front-line agencies providing essential services to affected families and businesses.

Make a donation.

Donation Centre at City Dream Centre

City Dream Centre is collecting donations of water, blankets and diapers to redistribute. Read more.

Donation drop off address:
For the Love of Thrifting
#106 - 19211 Fraser Hwy, Surrey

Mutual Aid Bike Repair

Dirtbag Cycles Repair is donating proceeds from bike repairs to those impacted by flooding. Read more.

Drop off Donations at Absorbent Minds

Absorbent Minds is a Montessori School based in Surrey and Burnaby. They are collecting donations to transport to Abbotsford. Read more.

Locations for Drop off:
Surrey, units 101 & 102 5961 168 street
Burnaby, 7283 Nelson Ave

Educational Resources

• Connecting the dots between B.C.’s floods, landslides and the clearcut logging of old forests

• Fraser Valley’s lost lake was at centre of local life for centuries

• Sumas First Nation seeks compensation for its lost lake

• 4 young activists share their unique approach to climate action in CBC project

• The Restless and Relentless Mind of Wes Jackson, Searching for Sustainability

• What is UBC's responsibility in relation to climate justice?

• See old-growth go from stand to stump on B.C.’s Vancouver Island

• What you need to know about old-growth trees in B.C. — and the threats facing them

• The struggle over what’s ancient, giant, valuable and dwindling in B.C.’s coastal forests

• With BC in Emergency Mode, People Who Use Drugs Need Help Now