“Staff are under significant financial and emotional strain, trying to serve their communities with fewer resources,” Barton told the committee.
FEMA’s disaster relief fund, which is the main source of federal funding allocated for disaster response and recovery efforts, is “rapidly depleting,” Barton warned. As of March 3, the balance of the account had fallen to $4 billion, according to a fact sheet released by the Senate Committee on Appropriations. FEMA typically keeps about $3 billion of reserve funds in the account for future emergencies and disasters, leaving only $1 billion available for existing disaster response until the agency is funded again.
“If this shutdown continues, and the disaster relief fund is depleted, FEMA will be unable to fund much of the disaster recovery efforts,” Barton said.
“This is not just rhetoric,” she continued. “These impacts are having dire rippling effects for thousands of Americans and communities across the United States. Disaster survivors waiting for assistance may face increased uncertainty and hardship. Local officials working to rebuild after hurricanes or floods may be unable to access federal support. And FEMA staff, many of whom have served through multiple disasters, are now struggling to pay their bills and support their families while also continuing to serve the public.”
Read the full article here
