The United States is to open its first dedicated humanitarian assistance hub in South Florida and embed disaster advisors within its military command, as it pledges to redirect a fifth of its total foreign aid budget to the Western Hemisphere.
The US Department of State announced that the new centre, led by the recently established Bureau for Disaster and Humanitarian Response (DHR), will serve as a State-led coordination point ahead of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. The initiative is designed to better integrate pre-positioned emergency relief supplies strategically located across the region.
As part of the effort, DHR disaster and humanitarian advisors will be stationed at the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to expand technical expertise and strengthen civil-military coordination.
The move builds on Washington’s rapid response to Hurricane Melissa in 2025 and aligns with the Trump administration’s "America First Foreign Assistance" framework. Under this policy, the US is now dedicating 20 per cent of its total assistance resources to its own hemisphere.
The State Department, which leads the US government’s response to sudden-onset disasters and complex emergencies overseas, said the refocus is intended to advance US priorities and underscore American leadership in the region.
0 Comments