President Donald J. Trump Approves U.S. Virgin Islands Disaster Declaration

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

April 2, 2020

President Donald J. Trump Approves U.S. Virgin Islands Disaster Declaration

Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on January 20, 2020, and continuing.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to the territory and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, for all islands in the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands impacted by COVID-19.

Pete Gaynor, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named William L. Vogel as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the territory and warranted by the results of further assessments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.