The city of Montreal and the province of Quebec will be sending $60,000 dollars each to relief efforts in Italy.
After a 6.2 magnitude earthquake killed over 250 people in central Italy, the city and province will be helping out financially.
“I think that what we’re sending as a message is that it’s the same people who are fighting together to make sure that we can be a solution to that grievance,” Denis Coderre, Montreal mayor, said.
The money will be sent to the Canadian Red Cross who will then send it to their Italian counterpart.
READ MORE: Why does Italy get earthquakes?
Coderre also didn’t rule out sending more money in the future.
“After that because it’s a long run we will have to rebuild those villages and those cities,” Coderre said. “Then you can define another protocol where the government of Quebec, the city of Montreal with the group altogether can define the best way to send goods and services or some specific help.”
READ MORE: Italy earthquake: Canadian among the dead, another injured
Italy has declared Saturday a day of national mourning and those in Montreal have also felt the pain.
“It’s pretty sad. It’s our own blood, our own country,” Gianni Chieco, a Montreal resident, said.
People born in Italy realize the architecture in those small towns never stood a chance.
“It can devastate and then you have aftershocks maybe more tremors, which damages more houses,” Tony Lucarino, who was born in Italy, said.
For those watching from afar, they can only look on and hope that everything will be alright.
“From here, physically, I can’t do nothing,” Francesco Terenzio, a Montreal resident, said. “I can only think that things will be well.”
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