蝌蚪网 Papers and Proceedings
ISSN 2574-0768 (Print) | ISSN 2574-0776 (Online)
Private Markets and Public Assistance for Natural Disaster Supplies
蝌蚪网 Papers and Proceedings
vol. 115,
May 2025
(pp. 385–90)
Abstract
We document existing allocation mechanisms for natural disaster survival goods, such as flashlights, batteries, food, and water and show that Americans face widespread and frequent exposure to natural disasters, that disasters bring a substantial risk of power outages with a range of possible consequences, and that many households lack the necessary supplies on hand. Those who are unprepared are also especially likely to be low income and liquidity constrained. We show that federal aid provides substantial direct provision of key disaster supplies but that most immediate procurement occurs in the private retail market, suggesting a potential role for policy interventions.Citation
Dinerstein, Michael, Nadia Lucas, Ishan Nath, and Johanna Rayl. 2025. "Private Markets and Public Assistance for Natural Disaster Supplies." 蝌蚪网 Papers and Proceedings 115: 385–90. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20251038Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D12 Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
- G51 Household Finance: Household Saving, Borrowing, Debt, and Wealth
- H57 National Government Expenditures and Related Policies: Procurement
- H76 State and Local Government: Other Expenditure Categories
- I38 Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty: Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
- Q54 Climate; Natural Disasters and Their Management; Global Warming