The Biden-Harris administration has authorized the deployment of up to 1,000 active-duty troops to assist in the ongoing relief efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, a week after the storm’s landfall. This decision comes amid growing criticism of the administration’s response to the natural disaster.
A statement from the Pentagon, released on Wednesday, confirmed, “At the request of FEMA, the Secretary of Defense has authorized the movement of up to 1,000 active-duty Soldiers to support the delivery of food, water, and other critical aid ‘over the last mile to the point of need’ to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.”
The troops will be mobilized from Fort Liberty in North Carolina, one of the areas hardest hit by the hurricane. Some have questioned why the soldiers, given their proximity, were not deployed sooner to aid in the recovery.
FEMA has faced sharp criticism this week, particularly after Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas admitted that the agency lacked sufficient funding to sustain operations through the remainder of the hurricane season, which extends until the end of November. Reports have also surfaced that FEMA diverted approximately $650 million earlier this year to fund shelters for illegal immigration.
The Pentagon statement explained that the deployment will “provide additional manpower and logistics capabilities, enabling FEMA and other interagency partners to reach the hardest-hit areas as quickly as possible.” The soldiers’ mission will include delivering essential supplies to isolated communities, assisting with supply logistics at staging areas, and clearing debris from affected roads.
The Department of Defense has emphasized its commitment to working alongside FEMA and other federal, state, and local partners, stating, “The DoD has been fully engaged with FEMA and the whole-of-government relief efforts related to Hurricane Helene, and will continue to work with our partners to ensure a coordinated response.”
According to NBC News, the storm has claimed at least 215 lives, with hundreds more people still unaccounted for in the aftermath of the disaster.
