An international relief group based on the South Coast is distributing more than a million dollars this week in aid to victims of Southern Santa Barbara County’s deadly 1/9 debris flow.
Direct Relief International established the 1/9 Victims fund to get direct aid to victims. Those being helped include the families of those who died, people who were hurt, and those who suffered property and economic losses.
DRI kicked in the first $500,000 for the fund. The non-profit agency also provided more than $800,000 in other support. It ranged from the purchase of specialized vehicles and equipment for first responders during the emergency, to grants to other non-profits involved in relief and recovery efforts.