In May 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will increase “equity” in disaster response by increasing investments in communities with high concentrations of racial and sexual minorities, according to a document. A $12 million grant program has been launched to help.

FEMA’s 2023 Community Disaster Preparedness Grants Program is a multi-million dollar grant aimed at strengthening “equity” in disaster preparedness for what the organization calls “underserved communities.” The aim was to provide subsidies. This label was later defined in grant documents as “people who share certain characteristics.” Geographic communities that have been systematically denied full opportunities to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. ” Examples of these groups cited in the FEMA document include African Americans, Hispanics, Middle Easterners, LGBT people, and people living in rural areas.

FEMA crisis management expert: LGBTQIA people and underprivileged populations are already suffering. tyler atkins said in Zoom recording leaked It surfaced on Sunday. “They already have things to deal with on their own, so when you add disaster to that, it just gets worse.” (Related: Mayorkas laments lack of FEMA funding for hurricane response after spending nearly $1 billion on immigration crisis)

maggie jarryThe Department of Health and Human Services’ emergency management expert responded to Atkins’ remarks by saying that emergency management should move away from providing “the greatest good to the greatest number of people” and toward “disaster equity.” He emphasized that he is working on it.

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FEMA Disaster Preparedness Meeting:

“We should focus our efforts on LGBTQIA people… They were suffering before the storm.”

“FEMA relief is no longer about delivering the greatest good to the greatest number of people… It’s about equity in disasters.” pic.twitter.com/IqXeKI8OTT

— End Wakeness (@EndWokeness) October 7, 2024

Black and gay people disproportionately live in areas with poor infrastructure, scarcity of resources and increased risk of natural disasters due to climate change, according to FEMA documents. The agency used this position to argue that investments in these communities were needed to “effectively address equity in crisis management.”

FEMA directed organizations applying for grants under the program to take advantage of the Biden-Harris administration’s policies. Climate and economic justice screening tool (CEJST) Identifying disadvantaged communities where federal grants will be spent.

CEJST provides users with maps of all counties that are considered “underserved” by the federal government for purposes of federal funding. in many counties hit the hardest The areas of western North Carolina and northern Georgia affected by Hurricane Helen were excluded from funding under this program due to the CEJST designation.

Hurricane Helen killed 227 people. died As of Saturday, damage from the storm could reach $35 billion. According to Based on estimates by reinsurer Gallagher Re. North Carolinians received $27 million in personal aid approved by FEMA, Associated Press reported.

Organizations requesting FEMA grant funding will base their applications on whether they have selected communities classified as “underserved” by CEJST and how much they have focused on equity in their proposals. It was evaluated.

“To advance equity considerations in the awarding of RCPGP grants, FEMA will add additional points to the score of projects that benefit disadvantaged communities,” the grant document states.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: “We expect more hurricanes” said “FEMA doesn’t have the money to get through the season,” he said Wednesday.

FEMA’s funding shortfall comes after the agency spent nearly $1 billion on immigrant assistance programs in fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

Hurricane Milton is a Category 5 storm and is expected to hit the Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday, CNN reported. reported. Florida is still recovering from Helen.

FEMA did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

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