For FAO, preparedness consists of setting up effective measures to anticipate, respond to and recover from the impact of disasters for the different analysis units such as: individuals, households, organizations, communities and societies.
Prevention refers to all activities that enable the negative impact of hazards to be avoided and the associated environmental, technological and biological disasters to be minimized.
Prevention and preparedness measures also consist of ensuring that human and financial resources are available to respond to crises correctly.
FAO’s main activities with regard to preparedness are: early warning systems, drawing up contingency and preparedness plans to ensure adequate responsiveness, simulations, storing food and supplies, coordination, communication and capacity building - please refer to the specific data sheets (animal health, cash transfer and nutrition) that complete this advisory note.
Most Ebola Virus Disease prevention and preparedness actions are led by health professionals and give priority to health issues such as: awareness-raising campaigns, contingency plans, healthcare worker capacity building, identifying isolation and treatment centres, prepositioning medical and sanitation equipment, setting up mobile medical laboratories, etc.
However, Ebola Virus Disease has an impact on agriculture and thus on the food security of individuals and rural communities. This is why FAO plays an important role and contributes to setting up prevention and preparedness measures focusing on food security, which is also a parameter linked to health. These measures are discussed later in this document.