Mass Care Services

During natural disasters that coincide with a pandemic, shelter providers can coordinate with disability service organizations to ensure the accessibility of congregate and non-congregate shelters.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funding for eligible states and non-profit entities to incorporate auxiliary aids and services in COVID-19 related response activities to accommodate individuals with access and functional needs.

Online request forms and helplines can help officials assess constituent needs relating to food, hygiene, and medication procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through these resources, residents who are unable to obtain necessities for medical, physical, or financial reasons can request delivery assistance.

State, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments can partner with private organizations to support the logistics of purchasing and distributing large amounts of food donations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals and corporations donated freezers for food storage, and restaurants and caterers donated excess food from business closures and cancelled events.

Centralized information sources online or through a helpline or textline can provide key information regarding county or city food banks, such as location, hours, contact information, and delivery availability. This can increase the accessibility of these resources during a pandemic.