WASHINGTON -- The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board voted on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, to allocate $38.9 million to 21 local governments and service organizations to assist with humanitarian needs related to migrant families and individuals encountered by the Department of Homeland Security at the U.S. southern border. With this step, all $75 million (less administrative expenses) in FY23 Continuing Resolution (CR) Emergency Food and Shelter Program - Humanitarian (EFSP-H) funds have been allocated by the EFSP National Board.
On Dec. 13, 2022, the EFSP National Board awarded $31.7 million of the $75 million award to 18 groups, and on Dec. 22, 2022, the National Board awarded $39 million of the $75 million award to 21 groups. Funding was prioritized for those service organizations in the southern border states with the most urgent needs. Some funding was also allocated to non-border entities that play an important role in assisting migrants as they relocate to other locations. It takes up to three weeks for disbursement of funds.
For further information regarding the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, including the guidance governing the FY23 humanitarian funds, please refer to the EFSP Website (unitedway.org).
The EFSP National Board is committed to providing further guidance on application procedures as swiftly as possible, once future funds become available. In January 2023 the EFSP National Board will establish application procedures and deadlines for any additional funds appropriated to the humanitarian program.
Under its current structure, the EFSP National Board operates independently, awarding the funds provided by FEMA to local nonprofit, faith-based, and governmental organizations for the purposes of providing shelter and other services to families and individuals encountered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the southern U.S. border. FEMA awards the funds in full to the program’s National Board which is chaired by FEMA and composed of six national nonprofit organizations.