As temperatures in the Okanagan climb past the 30 C mark, local shelter workers are working to get water and food to those most at risk of heat-related health issues.
“Our people, who are living unhoused, are very sick and the heat doesn’t help. We’re seeing infections, bug bites, sunburns and all of these things are just making people living outside miserable,” said Carmen Rempel, executive director of Kelowna’s Gospel Mission.
“Our outreach team goes out onto the streets seven days a week and in this last week alone we’re feeding between 100 and 190 people every day.”
According to the Ambulance-Paramedics Union of BC, those experiencing homelessness are some of the most vulnerable to the heat.
“They’re more susceptible to the heat-related injuries like heat cramps, heat exposures and some of those can be life-threatening as you know,” said Troy Clifford of the Ambulance-Paramedics Union.
Rempel said the unhoused population is doing its best to brave the heat.
“People who are living unhoused are an incredibly resilient group of people but it is heartbreaking. We try to bring that little bit of hope,” Rempel said.
Gospel Mission is now seeing an unprecedented number of people seeking its services, especially in the summer months.
“It’s discouraging. Our sector is extraordinary — we don’t work alone, we work with many partners and we’re providing more services and doing a better job at providing those services than ever before and we’re not winning,” Rempel said.
During a heat warning, Interior Health advises residents to drink plenty of water, be aware of signs of overheating including dizziness or feeling unwell, and wear sunscreen.
The Gospel Mission is urging residents to donate cool clothing like tank tops, underwear, and hats.