Preparing for and Recovering from Economic Impacts of Disasters

Last updated on August 19, 2025

Members of the public looking for assistance during a disaster should visit the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness public recovery information for resources.

Emergency program coordinators, or those in similar positions, should visit the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness local community recovery for resources.

Disasters can have lasting impacts on communities, businesses, and workers. Preparing in advance and responding effectively afterward helps support faster recovery and reduces long-term risks.

Provincial economic recovery services

Emergency management spans four separate, but overlapping phases: Preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. This page outlines key steps to support economic preparedness and recovery:

Preparedness: Measures are taken for the purpose of establishing the knowledge, capability and capacity to anticipate, respond to and recovery from adverse effects of an emergency
Response: Measures are taken for the purpose of responding to an emergency, including preventing and reducing the adverse effects of the emergency
Recovery: Measures are taken for the purpose of recovering from an emergency
Mitigation: Measures are taken for the purposes of identifying and removing or reducing hazards

Resources are available to help communities and businesses at each stage. The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness provides resources to assist individuals and communities with recovery broadly. This page focuses on the economic side of recovery, helping local economies stay strong before, during, and after a disaster.

These guides support businesses and communities in preparing for and recovering from the economic impacts of disaster events:

Local groups like Community Futures, BC Economic Development Association, chambers of commerce, regional trusts, and business leaders often work together to support planning and recovery. They help communities prepare, rebuild, and grow stronger for the future.

List of supports

Preparedness

View a list of supports for economic preparedness to help you minimize economic impacts. These supports apply to all sectors.

Recovery

View a list of supports for economic recovery to help you respond to economic impacts. These supports apply to all sectors.

Need some help?

Send an email to: EconomicRecovery@gov.bc.ca

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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