The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded nearly $3.7 million to the Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency  (HIEMA) for expenses incurred from the COVID-19 response. The funding was made available under a presidential disaster declared on April 1, 2020.

This award reimburses 75 percent of the state’s expenses in protecting public health and safety, and the purchasing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), medical supplies and equipment, and the lease of supply storage space. These costs include the labor and contracts to purchase and distribute PPE and supplies, as well as the movement of these supplies and personnel across multiple Hawaii counties medical facilities.

“This funding goes a long way in helping to prepare our State’s frontline workers and strengthen our surge capacity should the need arise for this unprecedented pandemic incident,” said Luke P. Meyers, Administrator of Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency.

Remaining costs above the FEMA grant will be the responsibiity of the State.