Hurricane Helene has caused untold devastation across southeastern U.S. states, and the impacted communities are in dire need of immediate relief. As of this writing, at least 100 people have tragically perished. 

Instead of pledging help to affected communities, some immediately politicized the unprecedented flooding event. A former Obama administration official suggested climate change denial will invite more natural disasters like it, while a prominent media outlet suggested criticism of the lackluster Biden-Harris response is political.

While the Biden-Harris administration claims there is “robust and well-coordinated Federal support” for Hurricane Helene relief efforts, doubts have emerged due to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website claiming “equity as a foundation of emergency management” under its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.

Unsurprisingly, Goal 1 of the strategic plan is to make equity the centerpiece of emergency management. 

“Underserved communities, as well as specific identity groups, often suffer disproportionately from disasters. As a result, disasters worsen inequities already present in society,” the strategic plan reads. “By instilling equity as a foundation of emergency management and striving to meet the unique needs of underserved communities, the emergency management community can work to break this cycle and build a more resilient nation.”FEMA claims equity in emergency management isn’t a novel concept. However, existing law—the Stafford Act—says emergency assistance must be equally applied to everyone. Under Section 308 of the Stafford Act, the agency can’t unfairly distribute resources to one group over others:

FEMA cannot, on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, nationality, sex, English proficiency, age, or economic status, either directly or through contractual means:   

  • Deny program services, aids, or benefits;   
  • Provide a different service, aid, or benefit, or provide them in a manner different than they are provided to others; or,   
  • Segregate or separately treat individuals in any matter related to the receipt of any service, aid, or benefit.  

 

But the agency admits the Stafford Act could obstruct their equity vision because it “must be aware of, and responsive to, the needs of different individuals and communities to ensure that the benefits of FEMA programs are available.”

On a corresponding “Equity” page, FEMA has adopted a whole-of-government policy “requiring that agencies assess equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation and disability” from the January 20th, 2021 Executive Order on “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.”

“We’re turning a page at FEMA and infusing equity throughout our agency, programs, and policies to better serve people who face unique barriers before, during and after disasters,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said.

This isn’t the first time the agency has been embroiled in controversy involving its emergency management mission. 

Earlier this year, I wrote here at IWF how FEMA is being pressured by radical environmental groups and climate activists to label wildlife smoke and excessive heat “major disasters”: 

Per the Stafford Act, extreme heat and wildfire smoke aren’t typically declared “major disasters.” Previous presidents have denied issuing declarations for excessive heat events because the “ ‘severity and magnitude’ of the incident was insufficient to warrant a declaration.” Ultimately, Congressional action—not an executive order—is required to add “extreme heat” and “wildlife smoke” to FEMA “major disaster” declarations.

Emergency management should be equally applied to all Americans in the path of natural disasters—regardless of their state of residence or socioeconomic status. Relief and assistance must be delivered in a timely manner so all persons impacted by Hurricane Helene can survive and move forward after this horrific event.