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<br />Learn-Assess <br /> <br />federally authorized shoreline protection works <br />threatened or damaged by coastal storms, and <br />provision of emergency drinking water. The <br />Fanners Home Administration State Director may <br />make emergency loans to farmers, ranchers, and <br />oyster planters. Under the Emergency <br />Conservation Program, an Agricultural <br />Stabilization and Conservation Service State <br />Director may designate areas eligible for <br />cost-sharing grants of up to 64% to rehabilitate <br />farm lands damaged by natural disasters. <br /> <br />Although all state and most local governments <br />have programs to coordinate and provide <br />assistance during an emergency, few have special <br />funds for financial assistance to victims. Most <br />states limit their own disaster assistance funding to <br />local governments, rather than extending it to <br />businesses or individuals. All states now contribute <br />some of the nonfederal share of assistance for <br />Presidentially declared disasters. States may also <br />declare their own emergencies or disasters; 28 <br />states then provide assistance to localities out of a <br />governor's emergency fund. <br /> <br />Local governments may provide disaster assistance <br />to their residents and business community, most <br />commonly through some form of tax break. Many <br />localities have joined mutual aid agreements with <br />nearby communities to provide equipment, <br />personnel, and other disaster assistance. Research <br />has shown that local governments have the <br />capacity to assume a much higher proportion of <br />losses than they usually do within the existing <br />framework offederal and state programs. <br /> <br />A number of national voluntary organizations <br />provide disaster relief services, primarily <br />emergency shelter, food, clothing, and medical aid. <br />Some also provide longer-term assistance, such as <br />rebuilding homes or job placement. A committee <br />known as the National Voluntary Organizations <br /> <br />Page 28 of36 <br />