Goods and Services Providers

As we have discussed in chapter 3, the post-disaster environment presents several unique challenges for disaster victims. Critically, as a result of the disaster, there is a sudden increase in the demand for certain goods and services, especially contracting services, building materials, and household items. As Chamlee-Wright (2010: 44) describes, “disaster sparks fierce demand for essential goods, services, and expertise the ordinary person does not possess.” Moreover, there is a sudden disruption in the pre-disaster sources of these goods and services, since many of the enterprises that serviced the area prior to the disaster as well as many of the employees of those enterprises will also be affected by the disaster. Entrepreneurs recognize this increased demand and work to satisfy it by resuming pre-disaster operations, offering goods and services that they did not offer prior to the disaster, or reorienting pre-disaster enterprises and service offerings to meet the now heightened demand. In the language we introduced in chapter 3, entrepreneurs lower the cost of returning and rebuilding and/or increase the benefits associated with returning and rebuilding by restoring or providing new goods and services. For instance, contractors, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians enter the post-disaster market (often from nearby communities) or expand their activities and offerings, thus, making available the technical skills needed to repair and rebuild homes. Similarly, entrepreneurs create or reopen establishments that sell groceries, clothing, furniture, appliances, and other household goods, allowing victims to replace items that were lost during the disaster. Additionally, entrepreneurs create or reopen restaurants, day care centers, schools, gas stations, laundromats, pharmacies, and other enterprises that offer essential services.