FEMA's critical needs assistance

Breastfeeding moms following a natural disaster such as a tornado or hurricane in the US have an often unforeseen problem. Following a disaster, when they are trying to figure out this new life they were handed, following the deadly and catastrophic tornadoes that tore through the area, they face additional problems to nourish their baby.

I'd like to share a significant problem that many parents face post-disaster. Parents can receive breastfeeding resources through FEMA’s critical needs assistance (https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/housing#critical-needs), which can provide eligible survivors with a one-time payment of $500 for immediate life-saving and life-sustaining necessities.

The problem is, that applicants must provide “the proper supporting documentation (i.e., prescription, signed statement from medical provider)” to demonstrate a medical necessity for the devices and support (which can be obtained over the counter from a grocery store). The requirement for documentation is an unneeded hurdle for families in need during a time when their lives have been turned upside down. Let's think of the breast pump as the babies serving spoon and dish.

Representative Underwood and Senator Duckworth started the policy conversation to make breastfeeding more accessible to vulnerable families, but this loophole needs to be addressed.

FEMA Director of Public Affairs Jaclyn Roth said that “the organization continues to identify new ways to remove barriers to disaster assistance.” I certainly hope this will be one of them. Making it easier for moms to provide their milk, which contains a unique mix of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other essentials that help protect more vulnerable babies from diseases and infections is one way to do just that.

Such protection is especially important during natural disasters when contaminated water and unsanitary environments can increase the risk of disease.

Simply put, FEMA’s critical needs assistance policy should start by removing the “supporting documentation” loophole for moms trying to feed their babies following a disaster.