Disaster Response and Recovery: Essential Facts
Throughout the United States, we face a broad assortment of natural disasters, each varying in the amount of federal assistance required for effective disaster response. This article presents a comprehensive guide to the disaster recovery and response framework at the local, state, and federal levels of government.
Understanding Disaster Relief: Definitions and Background
At its core, disaster relief represents a multifaceted collaboration involving responsive coordination between federal, state, and local governments, often with the addition of private entities. This cooperative network attempts to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters, and guide affected communities towards recovery.
Historically, the Federal government has provided the critical backbone to disaster response and recovery, evident in the emergence of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Established in 1979, this federal agency forms an essential part of the disaster recovery framework in the United States.