Disaster aid programs

A major disaster could result from a hurricane, earthquake, flood, tornado, or major fire that the president determines warrants supplemental federal aid. The event must be clearly more than state or local governments can handle alone. If declared, funding comes from the president s Disaster Relief Fund, which is managed by FEMA, and disaster aid programs of other participating federal agencies. 

Other disaster aid programs include crisis counseling, disaster-related unemployment assistance, legal aid, and assistance with income tax. Social Security, and Veteran s benefits. Other state or local help may also be available. 

After a major disaster, FEMA tries to notify all disaster victims about the available aid programs and urge them to apply. The news media are encouraged to visit a Disaster Recovery Center, meet with disaster officials, and help publicize the disaster aid programs and the toll-free teleregistration number. 

Disaster grants are available to help meet other serious disaster-related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance and other aid programs. These may include replacement of personal property, transportation, and medical, dental, and funeral expenses. 

Audits are done later to ensure that aid went to only those who were eligible and that disaster aid funds were used only for their intended purposes. These federal program funds cannot duplicate assistance provided by other sources such as insurance. 

Individual Assistance. Immediately after the declaration, disaster workers arrive and set up a central field office to coordinate the recovery effort. A toll-free telephone number is published for use by affected residents and business owners in registering for assistance. Disaster Recovery Centers also are opened where disaster victims can meet with program representatives and obtain information about available aid and the recovery process. 

In Ethiopia, aid groups brought in cooking oil as part of a food program. This oil competed directly with local producers and drove them out of business. The longterm consequence was a prolonging of the disaster. 

Lessons. Even In difficult situations, cash transfers can be delivered safely and provide a quick and effective means of support for vulnerable populations after a disaster. The Emergency Cash Relief Program (implemented by Horn Relief and Norwegian People s Aid and funded by Ox-fem Novib Netherlands), for example, was able to distribute a total of US 691,500 to 13,830 drought-affected households in the Sool Plateau in Somalia in 2003-4, making it the largest cash response ever mounted in Somalia (AN, Toure, and Kiewied 2005). 

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