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Posted: March 29, 2020

The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2020

President Nez and Vice President Lizer approve COVID-19 response funds for chapters

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On Friday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer approved resolution CMA-11-20, appropriating $1.3 million for chapters to provide resources to address the COVID-19 pandemic on the Navajo Nation. The funds will be provided to chapters with low balances to bring their current emergency fund balance to $25,000 each. 

“The funds are strictly to be used to address the COVID-19 pandemic. While the resolution includes certain safeguards to prevent the misuse of the funds, it’s incumbent on every chapter to use the funds appropriately for those most in need including the elderly, high-risk, and others who need help right away. We are in this together and we will eventually overcome this pandemic, but we also need to listen to the health care experts who are telling us to stay home as much as possible,” said President Nez.

The funding request was approved by the 24th Navajo Nation Council during a special session on March 20 by a vote of 16-3. On Friday, President Nez and Vice President Lizer held a conference call to provide an update for all 110 chapters on the Navajo Nation regarding COVID-19.

On Thursday, President Nez and Vice President Lizer also approved resolution CMA-09-20, which temporarily changes chapter meeting quorum requirements to three registered chapter members to prevent large gatherings and to encourage social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition, the measure also limits chapter actions to those directly related to COVID-19 only. 

“In this challenging time, we want our communities to have the resources they need and we also want community members to hold their chapter officials accountable for the use of the funds. Not only is it important for transparency, but the tracking and accounting of the funds may also be used for reimbursement purposes down the road. Let’s be prudent and work together for our Navajo people,” stated Vice President Lizer. 

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