Stafford Act

Relevance: Prelims: International

Why in news?

• In response to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, United States President Trump declared a national emergency under the Stafford Act, allowing the federal government through FEMA to take advantage of a $50 billion fund for disaster relief that’s rarely been used for disease outbreaks.

About:

• The Stafford Act is a United States federal law enacted in 1988 expanding aid to encompass a direct plan for state and local organizations to deliver relief to the general public during times of emergency or major disaster.
• The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act was amended to replace the Disaster Relief Act of 1974. The Act was named after the Vermont Senator Robert Stafford who, with his help, was signed into law by President Ronald Regan.
• At the time, more than 100 disaster and relief organizations belonged to the Act. The law was amended in 1988 and again in 2000 with the Disaster Mitigation Act. These revisions broadened aid to citizens and formed the comprehensive Stafford Act we know today.

FEMA and Homeland Security:

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency under the direction of the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA supports the plan directed by the Department of Homeland Security and employs over 28 federal and non-federal organizations.
• There were similar systems in place throughout the history of the United States, but FEMA is the largest entity of homeland security to employ in the event of a natural disaster.
• FEMA’s efforts involve fieldwork with non-federal organizations such as the American Red Cross but also expand to include specialty and research services to state and local governments.

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