Her administration announced on Thursday that Massachusetts Governor Maura healey had activated 250 National Guard members to help at emergency shelter hotels in response to the Bay State’s influx of migrants.

Healey stated that the National Guardsmen would provide basic services in locations without a contract service provider. Healey declared an emergency earlier this month due to “rapidly increasing numbers of migrants families” arriving in Bay State and needing shelter and services.

Governor Healey said, “Massachusetts has declared a state-of-emergency and we are in need of all hands on deck to respond to this situation and provide families with safe shelter and basic service.” We’re grateful for the men and women in the National Guard who have stepped up to ensure that all families living in emergency shelters receive the services they need, such as food, transportation, education, medical care and other basic needs. The National Guard is a great way to deliver these services efficiently and effectively, and keep everyone safe.

Healey’s Office claims that service providers are stretched as more shelters have been added in order to meet the increasing demand.

National Guard members are being assigned to specific hotels shelters starting next week. They will assist in managing the distribution of basic needs, food, transportation and medical care. National Guardsmen are also helping local school districts enroll children in schools that meet their educational needs.

Healey announced the formation of Regional Rapid Response Teams to oversee shelter sites, and to communicate any issues with her administration. The teams, which will consist of state employees, “prepare the sites for opening and communicate site-specifics in order to inform placements. They also arrange connections to public benefits and support municipal partners and legislative partners.”

The National Guard is responsible for escalating all issues to the Regional Rapid Response Teams.

Major General Gary W. Keefe, Massachusetts National Guard, said: “We are always ready and always there for residents of Massachusetts.” Our role in responding to the housing crisis will be expanded to utilize our robust and adaptable capability in emergency and domestic missions to help those who are in need.

This month, the Massachusetts Migrant Families Relief Fund also was launched to help new migrants in Massachusetts.

In the last year, Massachusetts’ demand for emergency shelters has skyrocketed.

Officials said that there are more than 20,000 people, including children, pregnant women and migrants, living in Massachusetts’ emergency shelters. Many of these are recent arrivals.