Ebola Crisis in West Africa - Emergency Humanitarian Assistance - UNICEF 2015

August 2015 - On August 8 2014 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa a public health emergency of international concern. To date a total of over 27 800 confirmed EVD cases have been reported in Guinea Liberia and Sierra Leone with 11 281 deaths. The outbreak has been unprecedented in terms of its scale geographic reach humanitarian impact as well as its social and economic repercussions. Although the number of new cases has decreased substantially since their peak in late 2014 a sustained focus on the emergency response remains crucial in order to avoid a resurgence of the virus. With DFATD’s support the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is helping to reduce and control the spread of the Ebola virus in Guinea Liberia and Sierra Leone and to provide care to those affected. Project activities include: (1) coordinating social mobilization and community engagement programmes to reinforce messaging on Ebola prevention; (2) providing access to water hygiene and sanitation services to help prevent transmission; (3) providing psychosocial support to children and families affected by Ebola; (4) establishing a system of identification and care for children orphaned by Ebola; and (5) supporting infection prevention and control in health centres and schools.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved awareness of Ebola prevention measures at the household and community levels; (2) increased access to water hygiene and sanitation for populations living in Ebola affected areas; (3) enhanced psychosocial support to children and families affected by Ebola; (4) improved identification and care of children orphaned by Ebola; and (5) improved Ebola prevention measures in health centres and schools. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.