FEMA Provides Additional $6.1 Million to ND for COVID-19 Response

Denver – FEMA has approved more than $6.1 million in additional Public Assistance funding for the COVID-19 response in North Dakota. The assistance was made available under a major disaster declaration issued April 1, 2020. FEMA has provided more than $126.2 million in Public Assistance funding for the North Dakota COVID-19 response to date.

The latest round of FEMA funding includes:

• $2.7 million to the North Dakota Department of Health to store, transport and distribute COVID-19 laboratory tests kits and samples for diagnosis. The Department also leased a warehouse to store related medical materials, equipment and supplies, and secured warehouse services.

• $3.4 million to the North Dakota Department of Health to facilitate the storage of temperature sensitive COVID-19 vaccines through the rental of storage containers, equipment, and CO2 tanks to produce dry ice for the transport of vaccines. The Department leased a warehouse and purchased, stored, and distributed personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies to support the vaccinations of those living at vulnerable facilities such as long-term assisted living, childcare, hospitals, and clinics.

For the COVID-19 response, FEMA has simplified the Public Assistance application and funding process to address the magnitude of this event and to allow local officials to receive eligible funding more quickly. These reimbursements play a critical role as state, tribal and local officials work tirelessly to assist their communities during this response.

Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at www. fema.gov/assistance/public.