FEMA is continuing to restructure their efforts to provide a more equitable response after emergencies, and to improve programs which have historically provided more limited support to low-income and minority groups, according to Scientific American. Continuing efforts begun last fall, the organization has established a civil rights advisory group intended to help with active programs like the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, with the intention of helping to identify potential barriers which may limit who is able to get access to inoculations. This approach is in addition to other efforts to examine existing programs which may unintentionally favor individuals or groups less in need of immediate support in the aftermath of disasters.
A recent advisory from FEMA’s Office of Equal Rights noted that those distributing aid should “should routinely consider the needs of all the populations they serve, including racial, ethnic and limited English-proficient communities, as well as individuals with disabilities, to ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws.” Similarly, to help encourage and enforce equitable treatment, the advisory also notes that those distributing aid from FEMA are authorized to collect “should routinely consider the needs of all the populations they serve, including racial, ethnic and limited English-proficient communities, as well as individuals with disabilities, to ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws.”
Says Carlos Martin, senior fellow at the Urban Institute, “That’s a huge step forward that FEMA is even talking about equity publicly.”
Source:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fema-says-it-will-make-disaster-response-more-equitable/
