The province announced Friday it wants to do its part to help the relief effort in Haiti following the devastating earthquake earlier in the week that has left thousands dead.
Premier Ed Stelmach said the government will provide $500,000 to the Red Cross to aid in the rebuilding of the shattered nation. The premier also said the province is prepared to send resources in the areas of health and emergency management.
"I have also pledged that my government will work closely with the Red Cross to provide whatever personnel assistance we can to relief efforts, where and when it is needed most," said Stelmach.
The Canadian Red Cross said as of Friday, Canadians have donated more than $15.8 million to the Red Cross Haiti relief effort.
And right here in Edmonton, people are digging deep to donate what they can.
"I obviously am not the richest person in the world," said Kristy Lee Brown. "Whatever I can do I want to do it because I can."
Brown works as a server at an area restaurant and she's asking her coworkers to donate a day's worth of tips to donate toward the relief effort.
"Ever since it happened I was thinking about donating but this definitely gives a push," said Brown's fellow colleague Ashley Garlend.
Local philanthropist Frank Flaman is also doing what he can to help by donating $250,000 to the Salvation Army's Haitian relief fund.
"When you turn on the TV and you see all that suffering...how can you say no?"
And while it is still unclear how many people died after the earthquake struck Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, the international Red Cross estimates that between 45,000 and 50,000 people were killed in the disaster.
The United Nations now believes that as many as 300,000 people are now homeless and starving.
Ottawa reported Friday that 1,415 Canadians are believed to be missing in Haiti.
Donations can be made online at www.redcross.ca/helpnow or by calling toll free 1-800-418-1111.
With files from CTV.ca, the Canadian Press and Jessica Earle
