“We respectfully ask for your continued assistance to ensure that the federal government is a helpful partner to those doing important humanitarian work on the ground”
Washington (September 20, 2022) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and members of the Massachusetts delegation led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use their administrative authorities to ensure that the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is awarding funds as quickly as possible, and with as little bureaucratic delay as possible, to Massachusetts entities that are providing humanitarian aid to migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard and to others who have recently arrived in the Boston area.
“We would like to request that you use your administrative authorities to ensure that FEMA’s EFSP is awarding funds as quickly as possible, and with as little bureaucratic delay as possible, to Massachusetts entities providing important assistance to migrants,” wrote the lawmakers.
Joining Senator Markey in signing the letter were Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.), James P. McGovern (D-Mass.), Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), and William Keating (D-Mass.).
On September 14, nearly 50 Venezuelan migrants were flown to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. With no advance notice of the arrivals, the community scrambled to provide assistance. Although Massachusetts has proved itself fully capable of providing aid to these families in need, the lawmakers have received multiple inquiries from organizations requesting financial assistance from the federal government. This follows a recent uptick in predominantly Haitian migrants who have arrived in Boston in recent months.
The lawmakers are asking FEMA and DHS to use their administrative authorities to ensure that EFSP is awarding funds as quickly as possible, and with as little bureaucratic delay as possible, to Massachusetts entities that are providing humanitarian aid to migrants.
“Moreover, we ask that if Massachusetts entities seek for their humanitarian work other sources of funding that are within your purview, you work to ensure that this assistance is unlocked and disbursed as expeditiously as possible,” concluded the lawmakers.
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