Government agencies play a critical role during times of disaster, but the exact role of government is often unclear to disaster victims. Even more difficult to decipher are the complex relationships between various government programs, from local to national levels.

The Basic Scenario
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, federal assistance is made available only after a formal request has been made by a state’s governor. The extent or the impact of a natural or man-made event can qualify a region of a state to be declared a disaster. The President makes this declaration, and once made, it initiates the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, known as FEMA. FEMA reacts as quickly as possible to the devastation caused by a disaster to provide immediate aid and relief to those affected; this is known as the disaster response phase. After the disaster is over and it it is time to rebuild, the recovery phase begins, and with it come additional sources of aid.  

Declarations of Emergency and Major Disaster Status
A state's governor orders a preliminary disaster report to be completed, usually after a disaster has struck. Once this report is finished, the governor can then request from the President a major disaster or emergency declaration for affected areas. This request can be transmitted as soon as it is obvious that the destruction is significant, often while a large scale weather event is still in progress.

The Role of Government in a Disaster
Declaration of an Emergency: This allows the President to send supplementary funds to state and local efforts to save lives and protect property. Total assistance provided in a given declared emergency may not exceed five million dollars.

Declaration of a Major Disaster: This declaration indicates that the disaster is of significant scope beyond the abilities of state government to manage on its own. Assistance is offered to both the public and private sectors. Once the declaration has been issued, FEMA is authorized to engage the services of twelve federal departments, two agencies, one commission, one corporation, and one authority.

A state governor may request three types of federal assistance:

• Individual Assistance:  for  individuals, families, farmers, and businesses, in the form of loans, grants, emergency housing, tax relief and unemployment assistance
• Public Assistance: funds for states, local communities and nonprofit groups to restore public systems and facilities
• Matching Mitigation Funds:
  
  For states and local communities, for projects which eliminate or reduce an area's vulnerability to a hazard.
  
  Federal assistance for state and local governments may include the following: 1) provision of equipment, supplies, facilities and personnel; 2) technical assistance; 3) loans and sometimes grants. Private nonprofit institutions that provide educational, utility, medical and other essential services are also eligible for federal aid. The federal government also provides matching "mitigation funds" to reconstruct buildings or utility systems to withstand future disasters.

Response versus Recovery: A Critical Distinction
The kind of relief needed in an emergency depends very much on the immediate goal of the affected people. Their most immediate needs during or soon after the event are food, rescue, communications, etc. After the direct dangers of the disaster have passed, the focus of victims shifts to rebuilding. Therefore, relief agencies distinguish between Response and Recovery.

Response begins as soon as a disaster is detected or begins to threaten an area. Response involves mobilizing and positioning emergency equipment; getting people out of danger; providing needed food, water, shelter and medical services; and bringing damaged services and systems back on line. Local responders, government agencies and private organizations also take action. When destruction goes beyond local and state capabilities, federal help is needed. Recovery is the task of rebuilding after a disaster.

This can take months and even years to complete. During the recovery stage, federal loans and grants can help enormously. Recovery costs can be well beyond the capabilities of local and state governments to repair expensive water, sewage and other essential services. Loans and grants also help communities