Quigley Urges Trump to Assign Peace Corps Volunteers for COVID-19 Emergency Relief

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) introduced the Mobilizing America to Help Act, which would direct President Trump to invoke his existing authority to detail Peace Corps volunteers who have returned to the US from their posts, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support emergency relief in the wake of COVID-19.

As of March 27, the US has more confirmed cases of COVID-19 than anywhere else in the world. According to Johns Hopkins University, there are more than 82,400 cases in the country, with more than 1,170 deaths. A Premier survey published this week also found that more than 60 percent of American hospitals reported they are not prepared to handle an influx of COVID-19 patients.

"Today, many Americans are experiencing unprecedented illness and financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our health care system is already overwhelmed and things are unfortunately poised to get worse," said Quigley. "Peace Corps volunteers could be called into action to effectively respond to this pandemic and provide some much-needed relief to our essential workforce. During this complicated and frightening time, we must use every tool at our disposal to protect the health of all Americans."

Historically, Peace Corps volunteers have been on the front lines in helping address humanitarian needs at home and around the globe. In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana and Mississippi, the Peace Corps partnered with FEMA and deployed hundreds of volunteers to Louisiana for short term assignments to provide relief. These volunteers helped re-build communities that were ravaged by the storm, helped with food accessibility and distribution, and opened a disaster recovery center.