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Category Archives: Disaster Assistance
How does FEMA help people recover from major disasters?
Heavy hurricane seasons in 2017 and 2018, along with devastating wildfires in California in those 2 years, affected more than 47 million people in the United States—about 15 percent of the national population. In response to disaster events like these, … Continue reading
How COVID-19 Could Aggravate the Homelessness Crisis?
The growing homelessness crisis in the U.S. could be worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. While data on the impact COVID-19 is having on homelessness are not yet available, Congress has already made efforts mitigate its effects through passage of the … Continue reading
GAO’s review of the federal response to COVID-19
Facing unprecedented national public health and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, federal agencies moved swiftly to distribute funds and implement programs to help people and businesses. But, as a tradeoff for that speedy response, agencies have made only … Continue reading
Our New Disaster Resilience Framework
Since 2005, federal funding for disaster assistance is approaching half a trillion dollars, most recently for catastrophic hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and other losses in 2017 and 2018. As the number and severity of weather events continues to increase, the need … Continue reading
The State of Recovery Two Years after Hurricanes Irma and Maria
It’s been 2 years since hurricanes Irma and Maria caused extensive damage to several areas, including Puerto Rico, Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hurricane Maria was the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Puerto Rico since 1928, destroying highways … Continue reading
Posted in Disaster Assistance
Tagged Chris Currie, Disabilities, Disaster assistance (individuals), Disaster communications, Disaster management (response), disaster recovery, Disaster relief, disaster response, disasters, Education Workforce and Income Security, Elderly persons, Elizabeth Curda, Emergency communications, emergency response, Federal Emergency Management Administration, Homeland Security and Justice, hurricanes, Kathryn Larin, Natural disasters, People with disabilities, Volunteer services
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Contracting for Disaster Response and Recovery
In 2017, 3 hurricanes—Harvey, Irma, and Maria—and the California wildfires caused widespread damage and affected 15% of the nation’s population. Federal agencies often rely on contracts to provide necessary goods and services to survivors in the aftermath of such catastrophes. … Continue reading
Marking 40 Years of FEMA
In 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed an executive order merging many separate, disaster-related responsibilities into an independent agency called the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In the 40 years since its creation, FEMA has undergone dramatic changes—most notably in 2003, when … Continue reading
Posted in Disaster Assistance, Podcast, Video
Tagged California, Chris Currie, Department of Homeland Security, disaster assistance, disaster management, disaster recovery, disaster response, Federal Emergency Management Agency, federal grants, FEMA, Florida, high risk list, HSJ, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Sandy, hurricanes, New Jersey, priority recommendations, Puerto Rico, storm damage, wildfires, workforce management
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GAO Reports by the Numbers: Natural Resources and Environment
From environmental issues to agriculture to radioactive substances, our Natural Resources and Environment team reports on topics that impact the natural world around us, the food we eat, and the disposal of nuclear waste, among other things. To get a … Continue reading
GAO’s Disaster Assistance Collection
Hurricanes, wildfire, floods, the Zika virus—natural and manmade disasters have significant consequences for people, communities, and the environment. So, what is the federal government doing to respond to these disasters and help with long-term recovery efforts? Check out our new … Continue reading