![\"People](\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/c-ap26037688890178.jpg?c=original&q=w_1280,c_fill\/f_avif\")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n The Trump administration has ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to suspend the deployment of hundreds of aid workers to disaster-torn areas around the US while the Department of Homeland Security is shut down, according to sources and internal messages obtained by CNN.\n <\/p>\n
\n The new edict comes even though most deployments are paid for through a Disaster Relief Fund that isn\u2019t affected by the shutdown.\n <\/p>\n
\n One internal message to FEMA leaders on Tuesday said DHS, which oversees the agency, has \u201cdirected FEMA to stop all travel.\u201d The order took effect today.\n <\/p>\n
\n Any travel to areas still recovering from severe storms will now require sign-off from leaders at DHS, which oversees FEMA.\n <\/p>\n
\n More than 300 FEMA disaster responders were preparing for upcoming assignments but told to stand down, including some who are currently at a training facility, according to the agency messages.\n <\/p>\n
\n Weeks before the shutdown, amid efforts to overhaul FEMA and cut costs, DHS leaders had been discussing travel restrictions, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN.\n <\/p>\n
\n Disaster recovery work and travel are typically funded through FEMA\u2019s Disaster Relief Fund, which is a separate pool of money appropriated by Congress and not affected by the current lapse in DHS funding, multiple sources said. As of December<\/a>, the DRF had roughly $7 billion available.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cSo it\u2019s not because the money isn\u2019t there,\u201d a FEMA source told CNN.\n <\/p>\n \n DHS and FEMA did not respond to requests for comment.\n <\/p>\n