Newsweek recently compared the funding allocated to assist those displaced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the United States to the amount provided to help those impacted by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Hurricane Helene made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, leading to over 200 deaths and significant destruction in the southeastern United States. The storm caused billions of dollars in damage, impacting tens of thousands of properties. Hurricane Milton followed shortly after, causing additional devastation across the region, prompting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide significant financial assistance to affected states, including food, power, and shelter for survivors.
Former President Donald Trump criticized FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene, accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of diverting funds meant for hurricane victims to aid illegal migrants. FEMA continues to operate shelters across the affected areas, providing assistance to those with damaged homes and property. The agency has not yet released figures on its spending for Hurricane Milton recovery efforts, but it is expected to increase in the coming weeks. As of October 9, FEMA is still providing shelter to hundreds of occupants in North Carolina.
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting humanitarian crisis, the United States has allocated substantial funding to support Ukrainian refugees. USAID announced $237 million in humanitarian funding to assist conflict-affected populations in Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in surrounding countries. Since February 2022, the U.S. has provided a total of $3.8 billion in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, with additional funding earmarked for the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees in the U.S. A $95 billion aid package signed by President Joe Biden also included funds for the Office of Refugee Resettlement to aid Ukrainian refugees and refugees from other regions.
Following recent conflict between Hamas and Israel, the U.S. has provided extensive support to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. USAID announced a $336 million humanitarian assistance package to assist Palestinians affected by the conflict. This funding came after a previous announcement of $404 million in humanitarian aid, bringing the total to over $1 billion since October 2023. The situation in Gaza is dire, with severe food insecurity impacting the entire population. Human rights organizations have called for the restoration of U.S. funding to UNRWA, which was suspended by Biden in January over allegations of the agency’s involvement in the October Hamas attack.
Overall, the comparison between funding allocated for hurricane victims in the U.S. and those impacted by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East highlights the ongoing challenges faced by individuals and communities affected by natural disasters and human conflict. The U.S. government’s response through agencies like FEMA and USAID reflects its commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to those in need, both at home and abroad. Despite the different contexts of these crises, the need for resources and support remains critical to helping communities recover and rebuild in the aftermath of devastation.
