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- By Native News Online Staff
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed a long-awaited Major Disaster Declaration for the Navajo Nation. The Declaration will provide more federal resources and prompts the release of federal funds for the reimbursement of emergency funds spent to address the Covid-19 pandemic on the Navajo Nation.
“With the signing of the Major Disaster Declaration by President Biden and the support of FEMA Acting Administrator Robert Fenton, the Navajo Nation will now work with FEMA to deliver more federal resources to help our communities combat Covid-19,” Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said.
The Navajo Nation declared a Public Health State of Emergency on March 11, 2020, just days prior to its first confirmed case of Covid-19. The state of emergency remains in effect. On Dec. 3, 2020, President Nez and Vice President Lizer also issued a letter and a formal request to the White House for the Major Disaster Declaration.
Nez and other Navajo Nation leaders met virtually with White House officials on Sunday.
“Our administration has advocated for the declaration for quite some time, so we are very appreciative of the quick response from the Biden-Harris Administration. On Sunday, we met with White House officials to request more Covid-19 vaccines and other resources and we reaffirmed our request for the declaration also. The Navajo Nation has also stepped up with millions of dollars of our own funding, health care workers, and resources to fight Covid-19. This is a great step forward and now we have to step up our efforts and coordinate with FEMA,” Nez continued.
Under the newly declared Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA-4582-DR, FEMA will continue to support the Navajo Nation’s Response/Recovery to Covid-19. Under Public Assistance Category B – Emergency Protective Measures, FEMA is committed to ensuring the Navajo Nations request for Direct Federal Assistance (DFA) continues to be supported. These include, but not limited to:
- Federal Medical Staffing Missions
- Potential Federal Medical Vaccine Support
- Requests for resources, supplies and equipment in response to Covid-19 on Navajo Nation
- Requests from the Navajo Nation that provide services, personnel and adequate resources that bring relief to the Navajo Nation’s overall response to Covid-19
“We have been honored to work with the Navajo Nation in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic for nearly a year. Navajo leaders have worked diligently to safeguard elders and other tribal members while working closely with partners to strengthen testing, deliver PPE and life-sustaining supplies, ensure medical treatment and now support vaccination efforts. The President’s major disaster declaration acknowledges the Navajo Nation’s ongoing needs, efforts and the strong nation-nation relationship we share. President Biden has taken actions in the past weeks to expand federal support to states, territories, local governments and tribal nations. Today’s major disaster declaration for the Navajo Nation affirms federal support to Navajo leaders and tribal members and the nation-nation partnership we value with the Navajo Nation,” Robert J. Fenton, FEMA Acting Administrator said.
The Navajo Nation will also coordinate with FEMA to work out the details of the cost sharing and other resources for Covid-19 relief efforts.
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