Japan deploys helicopters to help Indonesia fight Borneo fires
Japan’s JS Kunisaki reached West Kalimantan with three CH-47 helicopters as Indonesia continued peat-wetting and fire-control operations through September 14.
Disaster Response
-
-
Nepal’s Flood Response Moves Into a Longer Recovery as Aid Needs Expand
Nepal is shifting from rescue to recovery after the August 26 floods, but damaged roads, water systems and health facilities still isolate communities.
-
GAO Finds Tracking Gaps in Nearly $6 Billion of Disaster Contracts
A GAO audit found FEMA and the Army Corps could not reliably track local-vendor use in nearly $6 billion of disaster response contracts.
-
FCC activates disaster communications rules for Hawaii storm areas
The FCC activated disaster-response requirements as Hurricane Lowell’s impacts continue on Kauai and Oahu, where providers reported five cell-site outages.
-
Judge rules DHS plan for 50% FEMA staffing cut was unlawful
A federal judge found DHS unlawfully directed FEMA toward an 11,383-worker target, but the agency was not cut in half and employee relief remains unresolved.
-
Puerto Rico drought declaration opens farm loans amid water rationing
A USDA designation covers 26 Puerto Rico municipalities, opening possible farm assistance as rotating water interruptions affect more than 180,000 customers.
-
GAO says FEMA staffing cuts may weaken disaster readiness
A federal watchdog says FEMA lost 4,321 employees in fiscal 2025 without analyzing the staffing and skills needed for major or overlapping disasters.
-
Colorado seeks federal aid after fires, floods and debris flows
Colorado is seeking federal recovery aid after two wildfires destroyed homes and infrastructure, while burn-scar flooding continues to threaten rural communities.
-
Nepal Seeks Relief Funding After Bhote Koshi Flash Flood
Nepal is seeking relief contributions after an Aug. 26 flash flood damaged homes, roads, bridges and hydropower facilities and cut off communities.
-
Trump Declares Emergency Over Foreign Risks to U.S. Power Grid
President Trump’s August 26 order gives Energy officials new authority over some foreign-linked bulk-power equipment, but rules and lists are still pending.
-
Nepal-China Floods Make Aid Access the Next Emergency
Damaged roads and bridges are forcing helicopter-led relief after floods hit Nepal and Tibet, while health agencies prepare for further access risks.
-
FEMA Leadership Change Raises Capacity Questions Before Peak Hurricane Months
The Senate confirmed Cameron Hamilton on August 7, giving FEMA a permanent administrator as hurricane activity typically peaks from August through October.
-
Venezuela Reports 3,811 Dead From June 24 Earthquakes as Delcy Rodríguez Seeks Sanctions Relief
Venezuelan authorities said 3,811 people had died and 16,740 were injured by July 8 after twin earthquakes struck the country on June 24. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez called for access to blocked overseas assets to help pay for reconstruction.
-
Senate confirms Cameron Hamilton to lead FEMA during active wildfire and flood season
The Senate confirmed Cameron Hamilton as FEMA administrator on Aug. 7, as the agency manages more than 1,000 open disaster declarations and the administration considers changes to federal disaster aid.
-
UN preparatory committee sets August 31 date for disaster-protection diplomacy
A United Nations committee will meet in New York from August 31 through September 4, 2026, to prepare a future diplomatic conference on protecting people affected by disasters.
-
Louisiana SNAP hot-food waiver expires Aug. 13 after Tropical Storm Arthur
Louisiana SNAP households can use existing benefits for eligible hot or prepared foods at authorized retailers through Aug. 13, but the waiver adds no funds, covers no restaurant meals and may require retailer system updates.
-
Cameron Hamilton’s FEMA Nomination Reaches Senate Cloture Stage
A Senate cloture motion has moved Cameron Hamilton’s FEMA nomination closer to a confirmation vote, but he remains unconfirmed and FEMA rules have not changed.
-
FCC Sets Disaster-Reporting Rules for Public-Safety Networks
The FCC adopted new disaster-reporting rules for public-safety networks, but the central daily reporting requirement remains delayed pending implementation steps.
-
GAO warns of uneven capacity as FEMA responsibility faces review
A GAO review found wide gaps in state and local disaster capacity as proposed FEMA changes could shift more responsibility to states and territories.
-
FEMA reform debate puts disaster aid and state roles in focus
A July hearing brought competing FEMA reform plans together, but no law has changed how disaster declarations, recovery aid or survivor assistance work.
-
Venezuela earthquake recovery faces $19.6 billion damage estimate
Venezuela is shifting from rescue to rebuilding after a preliminary $19.6 billion damage estimate, while unsafe water, shelter and health risks persist.
-
Kumamoto earthquake recovery begins as reported deaths reach 38
Japan’s Kumamoto earthquake response is shifting toward recovery, but heat, water outages, crowded shelters and damaged infrastructure continue to endanger survivors.