At the beginning of this month, the California state government, Los Angeles County, and the City of Los Angeles announced they would officially begin wildfire recovery efforts and assistance for displaced residents. However, the affected residents themselves remain helpless, as they remain uncertain about when, where, and how government support will be provided.
On February 5 and 6, the Korea Daily revisited Altadena, which had been devastated by the Eaton Fire. Among those who met in the area were Kiseon Lee and his wife, Jeongja Yoo, who found themselves in a similar predicament. The couple had operated Fair Oaks Burger in the area for 38 years. “We’ve heard that the government is providing support, but we have never received specific guidance on wildfire recovery or assistance for displaced residents,” Lee said.
Since Altadena does not have its own city government, residents find it difficult to determine which agencies to turn to for support. The couple’s youngest daughter, Christine Lee, explained, “Altadena falls under LA County’s jurisdiction, but I’ve heard that the Pasadena city government is providing actual assistance. However, we don’t know exactly what kind of support we’re eligible for.”
Following the wildfires, both the state and LA County announced plans to allocate large sums of money for recovery efforts. Governor Gavin Newsom stated on January 23 that $2.5 billion would be provided for wildfire recovery in LA, while LA County recently established a funding program, securing $32.2 million. However, for the affected residents, the crucial issue is not “how much money is allocated” but rather “how they can actually receive the support they need.”
The government’s relief application process is complex and difficult to navigate. For example, on February 3, the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA), the Korean American Bar Association of Southern California (KABA), and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles co-hosted an informational session to assist wildfire victims.
During the session, KABA President Patricia Park diligently explained the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid and its application, yet few attendees fully grasped the details right away. After her presentation ended, some attendees questioned, “How exactly do we apply?”
Due to government support inefficiencies, affected residents have begun helping each other. On February 6, Fair Oaks Burger hosted the “Altadena Wellness Event,” which gathered more than 500 residents. Lee and Yoo personally prepared and distributed 1,000 servings of chicken tacos at the event, while multiple nonprofit organizations provided food and essential supplies.
Instead of praising such community-driven efforts as a “great precedent,” local governments should feel ashamed. It is the government’s responsibility to step in, yet private citizens are being forced to fill the gap.
The state of California, LA County, and other local governments must simplify the application process and implement more effective relief measures to ensure that affected residents receive tangible support. The burden of disaster recovery should not fall on the residents—it is the government’s duty.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM (kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com)
