It is not true that the Biden administration will only give $750 to those affected by Hurricane Helena

This disinformation narrative is the work of Donald Trump and his supporters and does not present all the facts. It is true that Vice President Harris mentioned $750 in aid, but that is initial aid for necessities and not the only type. Hurricane victims can apply for FEMA assistance. Aid to Ukraine, Israel and emigrants comes from various funds and has nothing to do with disaster relief. The post we are analyzing does not mention the facts, but incomplete information in order to promote this false narrative

We analyze Facebook posts (here and here) claiming the administration of US President Joe Biden has left the people to themselves, without any assistance to fight the consequences of Hurricane Helena, while providing Americans with only $750 in aid, because the government spent the money on Ukraine, Israel and the emigrants. In that direction, a statement by Vice President Kamala Harris is shared, in which she mentions the $750 in aid. However, the statement is not complete.

Hurricane Helena, USA. Catastrophic consequences … without government help. The people are fighting on their own … for salvation … while their money … the government spent on Ukraine, on emigrants, etc., it is stated in the first post.

Here is the actual video footage. Kamala offered $750 for Hurricane Helena victims 💀. Billions to Israel to continue the genocide, and only $750 to the Americans. $750 is adding insult to injury. This is disgusting. This is a disgrace. Americans are facing massive losses and many will never recover, the second post reads.

At least 200 people died as a result of the storm, which passed over Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Many homes were swept away or severely damaged, while thousands were left without power or access to communications.

According to Forbes, the narrative that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) cannot respond well enough to the aftermath of Hurricane Helena because it diverted so much money to help migrants has begun to be spread by former President Donald Trump and his allies.

Trump repeatedly claims FEMA has money problems because of funds spent on migrants, that is, that “Kamala spent all her FEMA money—billions of dollars—on housing for illegal migrants,” quoting Fox News anchor Jesse Watters, Trump wrote on his social network:

FEMA is now out of money, because Joe Biden and Kamala spent over a billion dollars of FEMA cash on migrants.

Donald Trump Jr. was one of many high-profile Republicans to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris after her visit to Georgia to see the damage from Hurricane Helena, claiming she offered victims of the disaster only $750, Newsweek reports.

$750 for Americans in desperate need many of whom lost everything including family.

$250 BILLION spent in Ukraine with a population of +\-38 million equals a bit more than $6500 per person in F$&?ing UKRAINE!!! For what? Enough of this madness, wrote Trump Jr. on the social network X.

$750 for Americans in desperate need many of whom lost everything including family.

$250 BILLION spent in Ukraine with a population of +\- 38 million equals a bit more than $6500 per person in F$&?ing UKRAINE!!! For what?

Enough of this madness! pic.twitter.com/K5KmtLbHZk

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 3, 2024

What the facts say

FEMA’s funds for handling disaster relief efforts are separate from money given to immigrant communities, says Forbes.

FEMA says on its website that any claims the disaster funds have been diverted to border-related efforts are “false,” noting the Disaster Relief Fund is dedicated to that specific matter and money earmarked for the fund “has not been diverted to other non-disaster efforts.”

Congress determines how much money will go into FEMA’s Disaster Fund, and the Fund has been facing problems since lawmakers refused to earmark additional funding for FEMA’s efforts in a funding bill passed last month that merely extended the existing level of funding to FEMA and allowed it to draw $20 billion more quickly.

Democratic deputies raised concerns about FEMA’s budget even before Hurricane Helena, as FEMA had to stop funding non-emergency recovery efforts in order to conserve funds, and some have now called on Congress to pass legislation that would give the Disaster Relief Fund more money.

Vice President Harris, in her speech held on the 3^rd of October in Augusta, Georgia, mentioned the cash payments as part of a larger relief effort, Newsweek reports.

And the federal relief and assistance that we have been providing has included FEMA providing $750 for folks who need immediate needs being met, such as food, baby formula, and the like. And you can apply now, she said.

Harris said FEMA workers went door-to-door to provide residents with the emergency money, while those with an Internet connection could apply online.

She also outlined the additional, longer-term emergency funding being made available, adding:

FEMA is also providing tens of thousands more dollars for folks to help them be able to deal with home repair, to be able to cover a deductible when and if they have insurance, and also hotel costs.

As the White House announced on September 30, FEMA assistance in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina may include a one-time payment of $750 to help with essential items such as food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies.

After registering for disaster assistance, individuals may also qualify to receive disaster-related financial assistance to repair storm-related damage to homes and replace personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay, the Biden-Harris administration said in a statement.

The Biden administration has already disbursed more than $10 million in “flexible and upfront” aid to affected states, according to the FEMA press release.

To date, FEMA has shipped over 8.8 million meals, more than 7.4 million liters of water, 150 generators and more than 225,000 tarps to the region, says the press release.

Crews also helped restore power and set up satellite Internet connections for those without service.

Over 1,600 interactions with people and animals, including rescues and evacuations, had also taken place with federal assistance, Newsweek’s analysis added.

President Joe Biden also said his administration would cover 100 percent of the cost for the first 180 days in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, Newsweek also said.

So it is not true that the Biden administration has spent all its money on Ukraine, Israel and emigrants and how has no money to help its citizens cope with the consequences of Hurricane Helena. This disinformation narrative is the work of Donald Trump and his supporters and does not present all the facts. It is true that Vice President Harris mentioned $750 in aid, but that is initial aid for necessities and not the only type. Hurricane victims can apply for FEMA assistance. Aid to Ukraine, Israel and emigrants comes from various funds and has nothing to do with disaster relief. The post we are analyzing does not mention the facts, but incomplete information in order to promote this false narrative. Therefore, we assess the post is missing context.

 

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