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FEMA provides additional support for US Virgin Islands’ COVID-19 response

by | May 9, 2023 | Coronavirus, Federal Government, United States Virgin Islands | 0 comments

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has committed an additional $33.5 million to the United States Virgin Islands to reimburse the territory for emergency medical services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $33.5 million Public Assistance grant will reimburse the US Virgin Islands Department of Health for contracting emergency medical services to provide ambulances, personnel, equipment, and supplies to assist with the territory’s COVID-19 response from July 2, 2022, through February 28, 2023.

“FEMA’s partnership with the territory led to unified efforts that supported lifesaving and life-sustaining measures during a challenging time for the US Virgin Islands and the nation,” said FEMA Virgin Islands Caribbean Area Office Coordinator Mark A. Walters. “We answered the territory’s request to support its COVID-19 response in March 2020, and it was a privilege to support its efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus over the last three years.”

“The Department of Health is elated to learn that FEMA has provided additional funds to cover the cost of critical, life-saving services to the people of this Territory. The services rendered were a valuable and vital asset in the Territory’s response to COVID and were instrumental in the USVI’s ability to return to normalcy. Our many thanks to the hardworking FEMA team that continues to collaborate and work alongside the Territory in response to manmade and natural disasters,” said US Virgin Islands Department of Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion.

As of May 3, 2023, FEMA has committed $146.1 million to the US Virgin Islands to reimburse the territory for its COVID-19 response. FEMA’s support for the territory’s COVID-19 response includes funding and technical support for:

  • Vaccine centers, emergency operations centers, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical care surge build-outs, staffing, testing, and emergency response.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

William-Jose Velez Gonzalez

William-Jose Velez Gonzalez

William-José Vélez González is a native from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, and a graduate from Florida International University in biomedical engineering, engineering management, and international relations. A designer with a strong interest in science, policy, and innovation, he previously served as the national executive vice president of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association. William-José lives in Washington, DC, where he works at the Children's National Research Institute and runs Opsin, a nonprofit design studio dedicated to making design more accessible. You can see him on Love is Blind as Lydia's brother. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of Pasquines.

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