Exclusive: US Disaster Response Teams Grounded! What’s the Real Story?

America’s Disaster Response Teams: Grounded?!

Hold up, folks! Remember those U.S. teams that rushed in when disaster struck around the world? The ones who braved earthquakes, tsunamis, and even war zones to bring aid and hope? Well, sources are saying they’re grounded. Yes, you heard that right. According to a shocking report, America’s Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) can no longer deploy when a major emergency hits. This is not a drill!

The Trump Administration’s Role

So, what’s the deal? Nine insiders are pointing fingers at the Trump administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). These DARTs, made up of highly trained specialists, are usually on the ground within 24-48 hours, spearheading the U.S. government’s humanitarian efforts. They’ve been there for some of the worst catastrophes in recent history. Think the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the Japan tsunami in 2011, and even the wars in Iraq and Syria.

DARTs Crippled: What’s Happening Now?

But here’s where it gets even more messed up. With President Trump’s funding freeze on USAID, the four DARTs currently in Afghanistan, Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine are basically hobbling along. Seven USAID employees, who understandably want to remain anonymous, say some staff are being ordered back to Washington, while others have lost access to crucial communication systems. We’re talking about teams that usually range from 10 to over 50 people!

One USAID employee said it best: “Our tools have been dismantled.” Each DART has a support team back in Washington, but with USAID staff barred from their headquarters, assembling new DARTs is impossible.

The Future of Disaster Response in Limbo

The Trump administration’s plan to merge USAID into the State Department and cut most of its staff has left the future of the DART system hanging by a thread. The State Department hasn’t commented, but Marcia Wong, former deputy head of USAID’s bureau for humanitarian assistance (BHA), is sounding the alarm. “The new administration is cutting into the muscle of a unique civilian capacity that our government has,” she said.

Wong emphasizes that DARTs are crucial for showing America’s commitment to saving lives during global crises.

BHA, which oversees the DART system, is in the dark about how many of its 1,300 staff will be axed. A recent notice said only 600 essential workers out of 10,000 would be kept, with no details on who makes the cut. For context, BHA’s budget in 2023 was a staggering $9.9 billion.

“Minutes Matter”: The DART Mentality

These USAID staffers live by the motto “minutes matter.” They keep “go-bags” ready at home and in the office, so they can deploy within hours of a disaster. They’ll board military planes if needed. One USAID staffer who has worked on over a dozen DARTs recalls using helicopters, canoes, donkeys, and even camels to reach communities in need.

Bonds Forged in Crisis

DART staffers develop strong relationships with military personnel and help experts from other federal agencies deploy rapidly. They also manage the quick and safe delivery of millions of dollars in emergency relief.

For example, officials from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission joined the DART sent to Fukushima to help avert nuclear disaster, while health experts helped curb the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014.

Who Will Take the Lead?

A senior Western government aid official sums it up: “DART teams have put their lives on the line from Afghanistan to DR Congo to Somalia… No one knows who will take the lead when the next global crisis comes.”

Let’s hope someone figures it out, and fast.