Not a few people have wondered what happened to the victims and survivors of the terrorist attacks that hit the World Trade Center (WTC) and other American institutions on September 11, 2001. Thousands died during the attacks, leaving families and loved ones in pain and suffering. We also remember the people who were first to respond. They went to ground zero and helped in the search and rescue operations.
The United States (US) federal government made sure that there was an institutional response to provide financial compensation and support to the victims and survivors of the attacks. If you want to know more about the government’s compensation settlements, check out the WTC Victim Fund and other similar sites. Here are some ways America has supported the survivors and first responders of the 9/11 terrorist attacks:
- Congressional Funding: Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)
The US provided financial compensation and support to the recovery and welfare of people who were hurt, injured, or affected by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. After launching the global war on terrorism, the US federal government put up the 9/11 VCF to compensate the survivors and first responders of the 9/11 attacks for their injuries and other subsequent illnesses.
The VCF provides coverage to victims and casualties who were within the vicinity of the WTC’s ground zero, including areas in the immediate surrounding of the crash site’s exposure zone. This includes any person who was there on that day anywhere south of Canal Street. This covers the entire lower Manhattan area. The VCF also provides coverage to survivors of those who were in the vicinity of other attack sites, the Pentagon and Shanksville in Pennsylvania.
- Compensation For Survivors
The US federal government provides compensation to the survivors of the 9/11 attacks as well as the families of those who died in the attack sites. The VCF accepted thousands of claims from 2001 up to 2003. They evaluated claims from individuals who said they suffered injuries during the attacks. Some of the claimants were the immediate family of those who died in the attacks.
Claims found to be valid and legitimate were approved by the evaluating officials and have been settled. The 9/11 VCF has fully paid the compensation awarded to legitimate claims filed by survivors and families of those who died in the 9/11 attacks.
- Compensation For First Responders
However, several years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, thousands of other individuals began to complain about their health problems. These individuals were also within the vicinity or areas surrounding ground zero. They complained of problems connected to the injuries or traumas they suffered in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
A number of these individuals were first responders, such as fire department personnel, police officers, law enforcement agents, hospital staff, medical personnel, and other rescuers. They were either near the crash site or at ground zero to help with the search and rescue operations. Some of them attended to the injured or wounded in the attacks.
The VCF reopened in response to the growing number of complaints of health problems and issues linked to what victims suffered due to their exposure to the harm or hazards caused by the 9/11 attacks.
The 9/11 VCF established a WTC Health Registry to accommodate individuals with health complaints and concerns. It has accommodated more than 7,508 claims from 75 countries around the world. Of these claims, 5,560 have been fully paid so far, with the US government paying out USD$7 billion as full compensation.
- Continuing Support: VCF Extensions
At first, the VCF was limited to paying compensation to the direct casualties, victims, and families of everyone who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This changed in 2011 when the fund was extended. President Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act that extended the VCF for five years more. This was extended again with another round of funding in 2015.
Another extension happened in 2019 through the Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act. This new round of funding received a Congressional allocation of USD$10 billion. Would-be claimants are now given 70 years or until October 2090 to file their claim. If they file beyond 2021, though, they’d be required more proof that their illness is connected to the 9/11 attack.
Conclusion
The US federal government has already paid more than USD$15 billion in compensation settlements to the victims and survivors of the 9/11 attacks. The families of those who died in the attacks were also fully compensated. However, the US government is still committed to supporting the first responders who continue to experience health issues even after two decades.
