FEMA DISASTER GUIDE INTRODUCTION
Achieving Equitable
Recovery
A Post-Disaster Guide for Local Officials and Leaders
November 2023
Achieving Equitable Recovery: A Post-Disaster Guide for Local Officials and Leaders” is part of FEMA’s
commitment to support the diverse communities that we serve in our nation and help them rebuild
stronger than ever.
Equity is the consistent and systematic, fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals,
including individuals who belong to underserved communities of color; persons who belong to
communities that may face discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender
identity (including members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer [LGBTQ+]
community); persons with disabilities; persons who may face discrimination based on their
religion and/or, national origin; persons with limited English proficiency; and persons who live in
rural areas that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of
economic, social, and civic life.1