The Biden-Harris administration's Drought Resilience Interagency Working Group released its summary report, marking one year since its inception.

In a June 1 news release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the publication of the summary report, which outlines all actions taken in order to enhance the long-term resiliency of drought-stricken communities through monetary assistance.

“Intense drought and climate change continue to threaten major economic drivers in rural communities, disrupt food systems and water supplies, endanger public health, jeopardize the integrity of critical infrastructure and exacerbate wildfires and floods,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Through the IWG, collaboration and coordination among federal agencies has increased in an effort to more effectively deploy resources and support during these intense, drought-stricken times."

The U.S. Department of Interior and the USDA serve as co-chairs of the Drought Resilience IWG, which was created under the White House’s National Climate Task Force. Through the collaboration, agencies work cooperatively in a whole-of-government manner, addressing drought issues through existing programs and resources and utilizing historic opportunities provided by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide critical funding to address water challenges, which include drought, according to the release. 

“The dangerous impacts of climate change and drought are being felt across America," said Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. "Through the Drought Resilience Interagency Working Group and President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Biden-Harris administration is quickly ushering every resource available to drought-impacted communities to provide relief now and make investments long into the future."