Experts are alarmed that recent efforts by FEMA to address its long-standing issues, particularly concerning vulnerable populations, are threatened by significant staffing and funding cuts under the Trump administration. Previous initiatives aimed at improving accessibility and assistance for disaster victims, such as simplified application forms and immediate funding for essentials, have faced cancellation. While the Biden administration had made tangible progress, the Trump administration's stance against FEMA's current operations and proposed eliminations of equity programs are ominous for the future effectiveness of disaster response efforts.
"There was a lot of headway being made," says Chauncia Willis-Johnson, the former emergency manager for Tampa, Fla. "Now, not only have we stopped, but we've actually regressed."
Emergency experts warn that recent fixes to long-standing problems at FEMA are in jeopardy due to cuts in programs and staff under the Trump administration.
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