Disaster Response: Lessons Learned in Supporting Mothers and Young Children

What GAO Found The unique needs of mothers and young children during disasters include appropriate sheltering, feeding and care supplies, medical and mental health support, and other services, according to relevant literature and disaster service providers from selected local, state, and nonprofit organizations. For example, large shelters may not be the best option for families with infants. Mothers also often need diapers, baby food, and infant formula. Service providers from 12 local, state, and nonprofit organizations GAO interviewed discussed ways they have supported mothers and young children—including pregnant or postpartum women and infants and children who are not yet in school—during disasters. For example, providers said they may prioritize mothers and children for private sheltering, such as hotel rooms, or ensure that mass shelters have private nursing spaces. Providers also said they provide coloring and reading books about disasters to help children process their emotions and trauma. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has assisted disaster providers in efforts to prepare supplies and services for mothers and young children prior to a disaster. For example, FEMA has issued guidance on and held stockpiles of infant and toddler feeding and care supplies. In addition, GAO identified four examples in which FEMA had fulfilled requests for assistance from service providers, such as providing medical transports for newborn infants, during disasters in 2024. FEMA officials shared lessons learned from serving mothers and young children during disasters, such as to evacuate children with their families to avoid the challenges of reunification. Service providers GAO interviewed also shared lessons they learned, such as to prioritize infant formula that can be used without power or safe drinking water and to ensure that mothers and service providers are aware of safe infant feeding practices. Figure: Examples of Observations from Service Providers from One Organization That Helped Mothers and Young Children During Hurricane Helene in 2024 Why GAO Did This Study Natural disasters can devastate communities and displace survivors. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, survivors need food, water, shelter, and other supports. Studies and reports about past disasters have shown that mothers and young children may be particularly vulnerable. In 2025, GAO added Improving the Delivery of Federal Disaster Assistance to its High Risk List. GAO was asked to examine supports for mothers and young children during immediate disaster response. This report describes some of the unique needs of this population, how these needs are met, and how FEMA supports mothers and young children. GAO reviewed relevant literature on the needs of mothers and children during disasters and interviewed disaster service providers from 12 local, state, and nonprofit organizations. These included organizations that contract with FEMA to provide disaster response, national and state organizations that are involved in disaster-related efforts, and service providers that specifically focus their efforts on mothers and young children. GAO selected these organizations based on the recommendations of GAO stakeholders and interview participants. GAO also selected organizations that had provided services to disaster survivors in five states selected for factors such as having major disasters in 2024 and counties in affected areas with large proportions of children under age 5. GAO reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and documents and interviewed FEMA officials, including those overseeing regions that include the five selected states. GAO also examined data from FEMA’s Web Emergency Operations Center database. For more information, contact Kathryn A. Larin at LarinK@gao.gov.

Disaster Response: Lessons Learned in Supporting Mothers and Young Children

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