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Pro-social behavior after a disaster: Evidence from a storm hitting an open-air festival

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  • Méon, Pierre-Guillaume
  • Verwimp, Philip

Abstract

In the midst of an ongoing nationwide campaign to collect funds for famine relief in Africa, a storm struck a locally famous outdoor music festival in Flanders (Belgium). Five participants died, and several hundreds were wounded. We use this event to determine whether pro-social behavior, measured by donations to the campaign, can be affected by a local disaster. Applying a differences-in-differences identification strategy to campaign contributions at the municipality-day level, we show that, after the event, the municipalities affected by the disaster gave more money to the famine relief in Africa campaign than non-affected municipalities. The effect materialized in the days that followed the disaster and lasted even after the festival organizers had launched their own appeal for donations.

Suggested Citation

  • Méon, Pierre-Guillaume & Verwimp, Philip, 2022. "Pro-social behavior after a disaster: Evidence from a storm hitting an open-air festival," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 493-510.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:198:y:2022:i:c:p:493-510
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2022.04.010
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