Part 6/8:
Winters pointed out the irony of significant funds being allocated abroad to Ukraine or for refugee programs when local infrastructure in flood-prone regions remains underfunded and inadequate. Instead of focusing on advanced warning systems and emergency preparedness at home, political actors appeared to be distracted by assigning blame to Trump or other political opponents.
A Call for Priorities
The debate underscores a broader issue: the need to invest domestically in disaster resilience. Winters suggested that money spent on foreign aid and other international commitments could be better directed towards upgrading local emergency systems. She also critiqued a perceived lack of empathy from political figures who, during times of crisis, preferred to politicize rather than assist.