as Hurricane Milton approaches, FEMA, the emergency management agency, in turmoil

3 mins

Extreme weather phenomena, which climate change makes them more likely and more frequent, threaten not only the security of the population but even the capacity of the institutions supposed to manage pre- and post-disaster management. This is why FEMA, the American federal agency responsible for providing relief in emergency situations, is on all fronts. She had to come to the aid of the victims of Hurricane Helene which devastated six states in the South-East of America less than two weeks ago, causing the death of more than 230 people and causing immense damage. Some 7,000 agents mobilized, 15 million meals distributed, 500,000 tarpaulins… Overall cost: $210 million.

With the arrival of Milton, the worst hurricane to hit Florida in a century, according to Joe Biden – who canceled a trip to Germany Ramstein summit Due to the approaching hurricane — many are concerned about FEMA’s ability to respond to another disaster. According to the American press, the federal agency responsible for emergency situations could run out of money in the coming weeks. With the increase in hurricanes due to global warming, FEMA is in great demand.

“ When we look at the forecast for Hurricane Milton, we see that two very important military sites are in its path, Centcom and Special Operations Command. This poses a big safety concern, especially since we just experienced Hurricane Helene and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, is on its last legs. It is becoming increasingly difficult to respond to multiple threats at once », alerts Erin Sikorsky, who directs the Center for Climate and Security, an independent research institute based in Washington, to the microphone of our special correspondent, Stefanie Schüler. On Tuesday, October 8, she participated in the Berlin Conference on Climate and Security, organized in Berlin.

Disinformation campaigns

FEMA is also weakened by a disinformation campaign from the Republicans, Donald Trump in mind, accusing him of misusing the money. “ The federal state is not responsive », Tackled the former president in Georgia after Helene’s visit. He also accused the government and Democratic authorities in North Carolina of “ deliberately not helping people in republican areas “.

The controversy is still present less than a month before the American presidential election.

Also readHurricane Helene in the United States: disaster management takes a political turn

“ Additionally, a disinformation campaign regarding hurricane response rages and is amplified on social mediacontinues Erin Sikorsky. False information that FEMA is not there to help people. That you should not call on FEMA because it would take over your land in order to extract lithium. That areas with a Republican majority would be abandoned to their fate. Even some political leaders are talking about it. Local officials are telling their communities that these are lies. But this creates security problems and hampers the ability to respond. This is all very worrying”.