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Food Assistance for Disaster Relief

Disaster Assistance

Last Published: 11/05/2018

Disaster Assistance

FNS coordinates with state and local agencies to responds to disasters.

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FNS Responses to Recent Disasters

FNS Active and Recent Disasters Map

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) coordinates with State, local and voluntary organizations to:

  • Provide food for shelters and other mass feeding sites.
  • Distribute food packages directly to households in need in limited situations.
  • Issue Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits.

As part of the National Response Framework, FNS provides nutrition assistance to those most affected by a disaster or emergency. When State agencies notify USDA of the types and quantities of food that relief organizations need for emergency feeding operations, FNS supplies food to disaster relief organizations such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army for mass feeding or household distribution. FNS also authorizes States to provide D-SNAP benefits.

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In the News

Thumbnail - Hurricane Michael

Hurricane Michael

-- USDA Provides 20 Hurricane-Damaged Georgia Counties with Additional Food Assistance
-- USDA Provides 12 Hurricane-Hit Florida Counties with Additional SNAP Food Options
-- Hot Foods Purchases Approved for SNAP Recipients in 23 Georgia Counties
-- USDA Provides Hurricane Michael Victims Needed Relief and Recovery Aid
-- USDA Announces Replacement SNAP Benefits in 12 Hurricane-Impacted Florida Counties
-- USDA Approved Additional Food Options to Florida SNAP Participants Impacted by Hurricane Michael
Thumbnail - Hurricane Florence

Hurricane Florence

-- USDA Announces SNAP Replacements, Child and Adult Care Meal Flexibility in Certain Hurricane-Impacted Carolina Counties
-- USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for North Carolina Disaster Areas
-- USDA Approves North Carolina WIC Flexibilities in Wake of Hurricane Florence
-- USDA Provides Hurricane Florence Victims Needed Relief and Recovery Aid
-- USDA Eases Program Rules for South Carolina SNAP Participants Impacted by Florence
-- USDA Provides North Carolina Children Affected by Hurricane Florence with Access to Free Meals
-- USDA Provides Additional Food Options to SNAP Participants Impacted by Hurricane Florence
-- USDA Prepared to Respond to Hurricane Florence
   

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USDA Disaster Nutrition Assistance Programs

Nothing is more important than providing food when people find themselves suddenly, and often critically, in need following a storm, earthquake, flood or other disaster emergency. USDA makes sure that people have enough to eat. Watch this 8-minute video to see USDA Disaster Nutrition Assistance Programs in action and the support they bring to communities recovering from disasters.

Learn more about how FNS Programs respond during disasters