05 Jan 2015 by Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, Assistant Administrator and Director, Regional Bureau for Africa
The social and economic impact of the Ebola crisis will be felt up to a decade after the disease has been eradicated.
In Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, virtually every sector has suffered as a result of the epidemic. For example, based on UNDP’s most recent estimates, Liberia could experience negative GDP growth for the first time since the war ended 11 years ago, reaching -1.8 percent.
In all three countries, air traffic is down, mining and palm oil concessions have been badly affected, and so have farming and small trade, crippled by quarantines and movement restrictions. The crisis is impairing the ability of governments to raise taxes and invest in infrastructure and social services.
For instance, more than 800,000 women will give birth during the next 12 months. But with the severe shortage of health facilities and professionals, compounded by the fear of getting infected in a clinic, many could die without proper care. Millions of children are out of school because their classes have shut down.
Whereas life before Ebola was starting to improve following years of crisis and political conflict, people are now struggling again with uncertainty. Besides the personal loss, the immense majority are finding it difficult to make a living and get services given the shrinking economic opportunities and stigma.
In Sierra Leone, for instance, per capita income fell by USD 71 between January and October 2014, while in Guinea, 42,000 jobs have been lost in the potato business as of November 2014. This number is only a small portion of the job losses in the affected countries.
While we must continue to focus on stopping the epidemic, treating the sick and preventing new outbreaks, it is critical that the international community works together to help the three countries recover.
First, by reviving local economies and the livelihoods of millions of individuals and households.
Second, by helping to overhaul public health systems, including investments in decentralized health facilities, staff, equipment and research.
Third, by transforming the way development is planned and decisions are being taken.
Recovery cannot be an afterthought. Survivors are already facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.
Investing in recovery is the smartest way to look forward again. If we work now to build more robust economies and health systems, while creating stronger societies and institutions, we will minimize the chance of seeing another Ebola crisis.