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HWN Suggests

Can FEMA Survive Climate Change?

The first step is that we’ve got to admit the system isn’t designed for the frequency and severity of climate-induced weather-related disasters. There are a lot of people say, “Well, climate change is a myth.” I say, record-setting weather events that are occurring on a monthly basis cannot be ignored. If nothing else, whether you believe in climate change or not, if we’re having this many record-setting weather events that are causing massive damage, the one thing we should understand is what we built for in the past isn’t working today, and we got to do something different.

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Featured

 FEMA Chief ‘Adds a Human Touch’ to Disaster Response

For Deanne Criswell, a former firefighter and the face of the government’s response to Hurricane Ian, handling complex disasters has been a mainstay of her career.

 FEMA Says It’s Still Working to Fix Racial Disparities in Disaster Aid

A growing body of research shows that FEMA, the government agency responsible for helping Americans recover from disasters, often helps white disaster victims more than people of color, even when the amount of damage is the same. Not only do individual white Americans often receive more aid from FEMA, so do the communities in which they live, according to several recent studies based on federal data.

 How FEMA Can Prioritize Equity in Disaster Recovery Assistance

Current disaster recovery efforts in the United States exacerbate racial disparities, as people of color experience greater harms from natural disasters, receive less support, lose wealth, and take longer to recover.

 It’s (Mostly) Not FEMA’s Fault

The problems blamed on emergency managers are often caused by the shortcomings of other governmental bodies, both before and after disasters.

Articles of Interest

FEMA is preparing for the future. “Climate change” isn’t part of it.

Despite record disaster damages last year, FEMA has removed “climate change” from its strategic plan.

Hospitals wrangle billions in FEMA funding to offset Covid costs

More hospitals are tapping into billions of dollars from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to offset costs for caring for Covid-19 patients.

How FEMA helps white and rich Americans escape floods

An investigation by POLITICO's E&E News reveals systemic favoritism toward wealthy and white people in a federal program that lifts homes above rising floodwaters.

How the Government Is Failing Americans Uprooted by Calamity

Climate change is creating a growing class of displaced Americans, and the federal government is struggling to decide how to help them.

Why FEMA Aid Is Unavailable To Many Who Need It The Most

For years, FEMA defended its programs. The agency initially withheld its internal analyses from NPR and academic researchers. FEMA now acknowledges it may not be serving everyone equally after disasters, although it has not said how it plans to address the disparities beyond studying them more.

Resources

5 things that have changed about FEMA since Katrina – and 5 that haven’t

Socioeconomic status and vulnerability still shape response. People with money are able to evacuate themselves, or return home and rebuild more quickly. People without financial resources, jobs or social connections face greater obstacles to returning to a normal life, and they need help.

FEMA

Our mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. Our core values and goals help us achieve it.