COVID-19: FEMA's Role in the Response and Related Challenges
Abstract
Why GAO Did This Study. The COVID-19 pandemic shows how biological threats have the potential to cause loss of life and sustained damage to the economy, societal stability, and global security. During the pandemic, 57 major disaster declarations were simultaneously issued for all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories - the first time in history this has occurred. FEMA had obligated about $5.8 billion for the response as of May 31, 2020.This statement addresses (1) FEMA's role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, including efforts to acquire and distribute critical medical supplies, as well as (2) potential challenges for this and other biological incident responses. This statement is based on products GAO issued from August 2003 to June 2020, as well as ongoing efforts to monitor contract obligations. For these products, GAO reviewed relevant presidential directives, statutes, regulations, policies, strategic plans, other reports, as well as federal procurement data; and interviewed federal and state officials, among others.GAO provided a copy of new contract obligation information in this statement to the Department of Homeland Security for review.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 14, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1123119
Entities
People
- Amanda Miller
- Chris P. Currie
- Danielle Curet
- Eric Hauswirth
- Jan Montgomery
- Janet Mckelvey
- Kathryn Godfrey
- Marie Mak
- Meghan Perez
- Michele C. Fejfar
- Sarah Turpin
- Susanna Kuebler
- Tracey King
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office