Ebola Crisis in West Africa - Emergency Humanitarian Assistance - WHO 2014

October 2014 - On August 8 2014 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa an international health emergency. The Ebola outbreak started in Guinea and spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone. There have been over 10 000 cases of Ebola virus in Guinea Liberia and Sierra Leone to date including close to 5 000 deaths. The current outbreak is unprecedented in terms of its scale geographic reach humanitarian impact as well as its social and economic repercussions. The number of cases and deaths surpass all previous Ebola epidemics combined. With DFATD’s support the WHO is helping to reduce and control the spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa and to provide care to those affected. Project activities include: (1) ensuring emergency and immediate comprehensive Ebola response interventions in countries with initial cases or localized transmission of the virus; (2) strengthening the preparedness of countries through the development of Ebola surveillance capacity as well as through preparedness and response plans for all non-affected African countries; (3) strengthening laboratory capacity in the region and mapping the location and capacity of all laboratories able to test for Ebola infection; and (4) strengthening logistical systems for sample shipment and the procurement of essential supplies.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) enhanced access to medical care; (2) reversed trend in new cases in countries with wide-spread and intense transmission (Guinea Liberia and Sierra Leone); and (3) Ebola transmission stopped. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.