When Federal Support Fades: How NGOs Can Bolster Healthcare Systems After Disasters

As the federal government moves to reduce its disaster services, the consequences for disaster health readiness are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Federal resources have long supported hospital coordination, resource planning, and emergency drills – the foundational but often overlooked work that enables healthcare systems to perform during crises. Without it, the responsibility to maintain readiness shifts to nonprofits, local partners, and the clinics they serve. It’s a significant challenge, but NGOs are uniquely positioned to step up – with the right tools and support.

5/29/20252 min read

A Shifting Landscape for Disaster Health Readiness

NGOs haven’t traditionally relied on large-scale federal funding. Many operate independently or in collaboration with philanthropic funders, international networks, or community institutions. But as the federal role in disaster response diminishes, NGOs are being looked to more often – particularly by state and local governments seeking reliable partners to help stabilize healthcare delivery during emergencies.

What Federal Funds Were Used for - and What’s at Risk Without Them

HHS and ASPR supported essential preparedness functions, including:

Regional Healthcare Coalitions
Hospital emergency planning and exercises
Backup power systems for critical care
Multi-jurisdictional communication and coordination

Without Federal Resources, we face the following risks:

Fragmented and delayed hospital response
Inconsistent communication between healthcare facilities
Higher patient mortality during disasters
Greater strain on NGOs and clinics operating without structured coordination

NGOs must now recognize they are no longer peripheral players – they are part of the core response infrastructure.

How NGOs Can Adapt and Lead

As federal support recedes, NGOs must embrace a more central role in healthcare disaster response. Key strategies include:

Convene Local Response Partners
NGOs can bridge the coordination gap left by defunded coalitions. By uniting clinics, hospitals, public health officials, and emergency managers, they can help align priorities, share information, and build community-wide readiness.
Provide Surge Capacity
Through mobile medical units, trained personnel, or pre-positioned supplies, NGOs can offer immediate support when local systems are overwhelmed. Rapid deployment makes a measurable difference during high-impact events.
Share Needs Assessments
Collecting and analyzing data at the ground level allows for more accurate and equitable distribution of resources. This is especially important for rural and underserved communities where needs may be underreported.
Enable Real-Time Information Sharing
NGOs can take the lead in developing tools and platforms that provide up-to-date information on facility status, supply shortages, and service disruptions. This reduces duplication and enables faster, more effective response.
Train Clinics to Request Support Effectively
NGOs can help clinics make specific, actionable requests. For example, teaching staff to ask for "300 IV bags, 500mL saline, with tubing" instead of general statements like "we need supplies" speeds up the process and ensures the right support is delivered.

What NGOs Need to Succeed

To be effective in this evolving landscape, NGOs will need:

Long-Term, Flexible Funding
Multi-year investments enable the building of systems, relationships, and capabilities.
Access to Coordination Channels
NGOs should be embedded in local and state emergency operations planning – not treated as afterthoughts.
Standardized Tools and Templates
Uniform forms for clinic assessments, resource requests, and population data streamline operations and reduce confusion.
Formal Policy Recognition
Disaster frameworks at every level should recognize NGOs as essential actors and fund them accordingly.

How Health Response Alliance Is Responding

At Health Response Alliance, we’re taking action to build the infrastructure NGOs need to lead effectively in a post-federal support world:

A secure, digital coordination platform for real-time sharing of clinic status, needs, and resources
Clinic-focused training modules on preparedness and resource requesting
Active engagement with state and local officials to align NGO capabilities with formal disaster response structures

We believe the future of disaster health response is distributed – and building NGO capacity is essential to its success.