COVID-19 in Indian Country
Any of the 21 federally recognized Tribal Nations that FEMA has identified as having received major disaster declarations are directly eligible to apply for the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund.
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In early 2020, when COVID-19 shook the world and became part of the collective vocabulary, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) knew what they had to do.
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FEMA has obligated more than $3.39 billion to states, tribes, territories and Washington, D.C., for community vaccination centers.
Los Angeles Community Vaccination Center

President Joe Biden signed a long-awaited Major Disaster Declaration for the Navajo Nation to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Window Rock Arizona Navajo Nation

As of January 29, 2021, the Navajo Area of the Indian Health Service has administered 47,455 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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The U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are deploying federal medical personnel to health care facilities on the Navajo Nation to provide relief and resources for health care workers.
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Rep. Greg Stanton continues to push for COVID-related relief for the Navajo Nation, speaking in favor of the FEMA Assistance Relief Act, legislation he’s co-sponsored to increase the federal cost share of FEMA public assistance funding for COVID-related declarations.

'Today, tribal communities are experiencing some of the highest rates of infection for COVID-19 in the country,' said Sen. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-Arizona) advocated for a reduced cost-sharing burden for Arizona’s tribes hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold an oversight hearing on 'Evaluating the Response and Mitigation to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Native Communities' and a legislative hearing to receive testimony on S.3650, the Coverage for Urban Indian Health Providers Act.

According to the CDC, American Indians and Alaska Natives are at a disproportionate risk for complications from COVID-19 which are exacerbated by the lack of resources available for Tribal emergency preparedness programs.

FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available for the Seminole Tribe of Florida to supplement the Tribe’s efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on January 20, 2019 and continuing.

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Director of Emergency Management Nelson Andrews Jr and FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Adam Burpee visit a historical Wetu at the tribe’s museum.

Rep. Greg Stanton urged President Donald Trump to take immediate action to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency local cost share to help the Navajo Nation fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico) and Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) announced the Tribal COVID-19 Disaster Assistance Cost Share Relief Act.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer met with Federal Emergency Management Administration representatives.

Tribal governments have the option to request Public Assistance from FEMA as either a Recipient or Subrecipient

The whole-of-government response to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

News Release March 26, 2020 Photos of the Whole of Government COVID-19 Response WASHINGTON – The federal government continues to take aggressive and proactive steps to address the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, moving supplies to medical hot spots every day. “My current focus has been and will continue to be to make sure we […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19): FEMA Assistance for Tribal Governments Release date: March 26, 2020   Release Number:  FACT SHEET   Based on the President’s nationwide emergency declaration for the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on March 13, 2020, tribal governments have the option to request Public Assistance from FEMA as either a Recipient or Subrecipient. This fact sheet provides additional […]