Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Funding: The Responsibility of FEMA or the States?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59613/rs01f518Keywords:
Disaster Preparedness, Recovery Funding, Responsibility of FEMA, Responsibility of the States, Joint EffortAbstract
The U.S. government has debated eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and redirecting its funds to state immigration enforcement efforts, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), despite FEMA’s ongoing support for states in building resilience and speeding up disaster recovery, technically and financially. This study examines how FEMA assists states through three disaster phases: before (mitigation), during (response), and after (recovery), using a qualitative approach that highlights intergenerational environmental justice and equity, including vulnerable groups, environmental protection, and climate change. The study’s findings show FEMA’s effectiveness in reducing losses and the need for recovery funding, which not only lowers current disaster risks but also helps create a safer and more sustainable environment for future generations. The findings demonstrate FEMA's ongoing efforts to enhance its policies, promoting equity and inclusivity, and ensuring that minority and low-income communities receive equal assistance in disaster recovery. The analysis also reveals that FEMA helps protect local ecosystems and preserve wildlife habitats through its buyout program, which converts disaster-prone land into open space. This research contributes to the ongoing debate about integrating climate change considerations into disaster mitigation plans, thereby helping to safeguard future generations from the increasingly severe effects of disasters. Recommendations include passing new laws, dividing duties and funding between FEMA and ICE, creating an alternative funding source for ICE, and improving oversight and transparency in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is essential to maintain FEMA because disaster funding continues to be a joint effort between FEMA and the states
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Copyright (c) 2025 Grace Natalia Bornok Siahaan (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.