After a 6.2 magnitude earthquake devastated three towns in central Italy early Wednesday morning, the Italian Canadian community is banding together to help provide assistance.

The earthquake struck at 3:36 a.m. local time and has killed at least 120 people and injured hundreds more. In some of the hardest-hit towns, such as Amatrice, entire blocks of buildings have been demolished and many people have lost their homes.
 

In a statement, the federal government said Canada “stands ready to provide assistance to Italy,” and that it’s “closely monitoring the situation” in Italy.

“The Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa and Canadian offices in Rome are in contact with local authorities and stand ready to provide consular assistance to Canadian citizens as required,” said Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Austin Jean.

“Canadian citizens in Italy requiring emergency consular assistance should contact the Embassy of Canada in Rome at +39 06-85444-2911, or call the department's 24-7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre collect at +1 613 996 8885. An email can also be sent to sos@international.gc.ca.”

Additionally, Canadians wishing to make a donation to the National Congress of Italian Canadians Quebec district can call 514-279-6357. If you would like to make a donation to the Canadian Red Cross, you can call 1-800-418-1111 or contact your local Canadian Red Cross office.

Montrealers can help by contacting A.L.M.A. Canada or the Italian consulate in Montreal at 514-849-8351.

Some 30,000 Montrealers have roots in the quake zone, many scrambling Wednesday to reach out to loved ones and help in the rescue and rebuilding efforts.

Montrealer Anna Perrotti said her cousin is now on the streets because of the earthquake.

“She doesn’t have a home, she doesn’t have anything,” she said.

Perrotti is the president of A.L.M.A. Canada, a community group for people from central Italy organizing a fundraiser in the coming weeks.

She said it is especially sad that so many children died in the quake.

“To lose a life is something but to lose a young life is even more devastating,” she said.

Fausta Polidori said the mountainous quake zone may make the recovery even more difficult.

“Where this happened the mountains are very, very rocky, mountains are very steep, so there’s no flatland to be able to put tents,” said Polidori.

The best way to help will be to send cash, said Pino Asaro, president of the Italian-Canadian National Congress, Canada’s largest Italian community group.

“The Italian government is providing for the immediate needs but eventually what will be needed, it will be money,” he said.

With files from Jackie Dunham at CTVNews.ca