Interior Department Distributes $2.6 Million to Alaska Native Villages for Emergency Storm Relief

Funding will provide stabilizing aid for food, water, other immediate needs

09/23/2022
Last edited 02/07/2024

Date: Friday, September 23, 2022 
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

WASHINGTON — In response to the damaging coastal storms that hit Alaska’s western shores this week, the Department of the Interior today announced that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is distributing $2.6 million to support the needs of 45 Alaska Native villages. These funds will provide critical resources for Alaska Native communities prior to winter’s arrival, including immediate aid for food, water and other essential supplies.

The funding is provided through President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which authorized $900 million in funding for the BIA to support a wide range of activities related to Tribal government services, public health and economic challenges. The American Rescue Plan overall made a historic $31.2 billion investment in Tribal communities, the largest single investment the United States has ever made in Indian Country. 

“The Interior Department is committed to ensuring Tribal communities have the resources and support they need, including when responding to the devastating effects of extreme weather events. As we continue to work with our Tribal partners to identify and address long-term needs, these initial funds will help purchase critical food, supplies and water for those impacted by the storms,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland. “Critical investments from the Biden-Harris administration, including from the American Rescue Plan, continue to support Tribal communities as they face the compounding impacts of public health, economic and climate challenges.” 

The Interior Department continues to coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the state of Alaska, BIA emergency management and regional staff to respond to ongoing emergency needs across the state. 

### 

  • Press Release
    Winter view of oil and gas production in Alaska
    05/15/2026

    Interior Begins Process to Streamline Permitting in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska

    Today, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced the start of a new effort to streamline permitting for oil and gas infrastructure in the approximately 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The effort comes in response to a petition for rulemaking from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association that requested the Bureau of Land Management amend its regulations to create a new development permit program in the petroleum reserve.

    Read more
  • Press Release
    Highway stretching toward tall rocky mountains with pine trees lining both sides under a blue sky
    05/06/2026

    Interior Transfers 1.4 Million Acres in Dalton Utility Corridor to State of Alaska

    Alaska – Today, the Department of the Interior announced a major Alaska statehood land transfer to convey approximately 1.4 million acres of land along the Dalton Utility Corridor to the State of Alaska. With conveyance of these lands north of the Yukon River, the Bureau of Land Management has fulfilled more than 96% of the state’s entitlement under the Alaska Statehood Act, expanding Alaska’s opportunities for resource development, strengthening local economies, and enhancing the state’s control of its own economic destiny.

    Read more

Was this page helpful?

Please provide a comment