| rriley@fayobserver.com
Resources are available to assist families at Fort Bragg affected by the Department of Defense travel ban linked to reducing the spread of the coronavirus.
The Ministry of Defense announced in March that the travel restrictions apply to permanent change of place of employment. In April it extended the Travel ban until June 30th.
It left some military families trapped between leases. Some saw their household items shipped to new destinations, and others became households with income as spouses expecting to find employment in a new location submitted their letters of resignation.
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Army Emergency Relief officials said help is available to these families.
The nonprofit provides Soldiers grants and interest-free loans that are funded by donations and can be used for basic living expenses, including rent, mortgage, utilities, groceries, personal transportation, car payments, insurance, gasoline, and more.
At the last count, Fort Bragg was tracking 247 families expected to arrive or leave Fort Bragg who are affected by the travel ban, Colonel Phillip Sounia, the installation’s garrison commander, said during a virtual town hall meeting on March 18.
When bipartisan members of Congress called on Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to ensure that military families affected by the ban received financial relief, officials said Emergency aid from the army Nine Army soldiers or National Guard soldiers at Fort Bragg said more than $ 16,000 in grants or loans have been made in relation to COVID-19.
In an April letter Members of Congress told Esper that the travel ban will affect those who rent houses in current places of employment, but also buy or rent an apartment in their next place of employment.
It also states that civil spouses who terminated their employment prior to the order are affected.
“These circumstances have placed service members and their families in difficult financial situations where they have to pay for two apartments and replace necessities that have already been shipped, such as housewares, rental furniture and clothing,” the letter said.
The grants or loans given to Fort Bragg soldiers were used in a variety of ways.
“Most of these payouts were for lost soldiers and were used for a variety of needs including living expenses, mortgage, rent, medical bills and funeral expenses,” officials said.
Families and soldiers who are interested in using or contributing to something Emergency aid from the army are asked to call Fort Bragg Morale, Welfare and Recreation at 910-396-2507.
Defense Department officials said the military will do everything possible to assist service members affected by COVID-19 with regard to temporary housing and support those who have already terminated their leases.
During a virtual town hall meeting on March 18, Fort Bragg deputy garrison commander Justin Mitchell said that a room had been set up at Fort Bragg to help affected families.
Officials said these families should contact them Army Community Services at 910-396-8682.
For families whose goods were shipped prior to the travel orders, Fort Bragg’s officials said Lending cabinet Lends household items such as pots, pans, dishes, cutlery, small household items, irons and toasters or extra beds for a period of 30 days. This time frame can be extended.
Contact the Lending Closet at 910-396-6013 or 910-907-2842.
Fort Bragg’s Loft in the air offers free furniture, housewares, baby items and clothing to families with lower incomes and can be reached at 910-907-2842
The representative Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.
