FEMA’s focus on promoting equity through disaster preparedness programs has come under scrutiny following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. In May 2023, FEMA launched a $12 million grant program aimed at increasing investments in communities labeled as “underserved,” prioritizing racial and sexual minorities. FEMA’s efforts were driven by the Biden administration’s push for equity, using tools like the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) to guide funding.
FEMA emergency management specialist Tyler Atkins noted in a leaked recording that groups such as African Americans, LGBT individuals and rural residents often face compounded challenges during disasters. This equity-focused approach led to grants being directed towards these communities, with additional points given to applications that centered equity in their proposals.
However, many areas hit hardest by Hurricane Helene, including counties in North Carolina and Georgia, were excluded from funding eligibility due to CEJST’s designations. The storm left 227 dead and caused up to $35 billion in damages, but some of the hardest-hit areas were not eligible for FEMA’s equity grants.
Meanwhile, FEMA’s budget has been stretched thin, with the agency spending nearly $1 billion on migrant assistance programs in the last two fiscal years. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently expressed concern over FEMA’s lack of funds as the agency braces for Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm heading toward Florida.
As FEMA grapples with these funding challenges, questions are being raised about whether the agency’s focus on equity has come at the expense of addressing urgent disaster recovery needs.
