The U.S. Postal Service and Emergency Response: A History of Delivering for the American Public

The U.S. Postal Service has a formal role in the federal National Response Framework, which guides the country’s response to disasters and emergencies like hurricanes, bioterrorism, pandemics and other incidents. The OIG examined how the Postal Service continues to support the American public during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, even as the outbreak affects postal operations. The Postal Service has delivered essential items like prescriptions, unemployment benefit and stimulus payments, personal protective equipment, and coronavirus test kits. The Postal Service also has provided a backbone for the surge in ecommerce as more consumers buy household goods online. Ensuring the continuation of mail service during this challenging time is helping to keep the American public stay safe, secure, and connected.