U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday declared that major disasters exist in the states of Washington and California and ordered federal assistance to supplement the states, the White House said.

New York was earlier declared a “major disaster” zone Friday.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee had sent a letter to Trump recently requesting him to declare a federal major disaster in the state as it would unlock federal assistance to benefit affected Washingtonians with expanded assistance and food benefits.

Also California Governor Newsom sent a letter to Trump to request the action in response to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The announcement came hours after Newsom sent a letter to Trump to request the action in response to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Earlier today we requested a presidential Major Disaster Declaration and this afternoon we got it,” said Newsom in a statement. “The declaration will supplement our state’s comprehensive COVID-19 surge planning and make vital resources available.”

“We appreciate the quick response and partnership from the White House,” he added.

The governor noted in his letter that “unfortunately, California has been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”

The Major Disaster Declaration enables individual assistance programs to assist those affected by the outbreak and lessen its economic impacts, according to a statement of Newsom’s office.

It allows for additional assistance, including but not limited to mass care and emergency assistance, crisis counseling, disaster case management, disaster unemployment assistance, disaster legal services and the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

(SD-Agencies)