In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation, residents of Appalachia have been left to rely on charity relief efforts instead of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Category 4 storm has claimed over 100 lives, and communities are left wondering why FEMA’s response was so delayed.

According to FEMA’s website, the agency’s top priorities are promoting “equity” and “climate resilience” rather than focusing on emergency preparedness. This has led many to criticize the federal agency for prioritizing political agendas over its core mission.

Deanne Criswell, FEMA’s Administrator, acknowledged that search-and-rescue teams were being deployed to areas hit hardest by the storm. However, these efforts came days after the hurricane struck, leaving residents to fend for themselves.

President Joe Biden, when asked about providing additional resources to the region, declined to make further commitments. His response has added to the growing concern that FEMA is not prepared to handle natural disasters of this magnitude.

Critics argue that the Biden administration’s focus on “identity politics” has distracted FEMA from its essential duty of saving lives. Under the current administration, FEMA’s priorities have shifted, leaving many Americans vulnerable in times of crisis.

As the region works to recover, questions about FEMA’s ability to respond to future disasters remain unanswered.