3 pillars of WFP support:
Delivering food alongside the health response;
Ensuring the movement of partner staff and materials; and
Providing common services and infrastructure support for health partners.
In numbers
To date, in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone:
19,030 mt of food delivered to 1.48 million people since April 2014*;
2,000 responders transported by UNHAS, with two planes and one helicopter in operation; and
38,647 m3 of cargo transported.
Highlight—mVAM in Liberia
The results of the first round of data collection of food security surveys by mobile phone (mVAM) in Liberia show that, as of October, all areas of the country are affected by food insecurity. Households in a central zone that includes the counties of Nimba, Bong and Margibi are using severe coping strategies the most. This zone accounts for the bulk of Ebola cases outside of Monrovia.
According to recent assessments, food demand and supply have diminished due to quarantine measures. The price of imported rice in Liberia has increased since April, while cassava prices remain stable. Wage-to-rice terms of trade appear to be lowest in Lofa and in the central zone. Ebola may have lowered the demand for casual labour, affecting household income and purchasing power.
Second rounds of mVAM data collection among 2,130 respondents have been completed in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and data analysis is ongoing.