The UN World Food Programme is responding to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa with an operation that aims to provide food to 1.3 million people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. WFP is bringing food for people under treatment, their relatives, and people under medical quarantine. WFP is also assisting the wider humanitarian community with logistics, helping other organisations to get aid workers and critical supplies into the affected areas. Donate here
The current Ebola epidemic in West Africa began with an outbreak of Ebola in Guinea in December 2013. It has since spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. It is the most severe outbreak of Ebola since the discovery of the virus in 1976. As of 22 August 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a total of 2,615 suspected cases and 1,427 deaths.
Prevent health crisis becoming food crisis
WFP is responding to government and WHO requests to provide food assistance to individuals and communities affected by the Ebola outbreak. WFP is setting up a regional emergency operation which will provide food assistance to around 1.3 million people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The food is going to people in medical quarantines, people under treatment and their relatives, and to the most vulnerable people in the villages affected by the outbreak (see below).
The objective is to prevent a health crisis from becoming a food crisis.In the three countries, the food chain is threatened at many levels, starting with production. Farmers are leaving behind their crops and livestock as they seek areas they perceive as safer from exposure to the virus. Travel restrictions and displacements are likely to affect food prices.
The bans on eating traditional protein sources, such as bush meat, may also have implications for the food security and nutrition of people in these communities. Some of the animals that people normally hunt for food, such as bats and apes, are known to be potential carriers of the Ebola virus.
On the top of that, hundreds of households have already lost one or more of their members. The majority of Ebola victims fall within the 15-45 year bracket and are therefore frequently the main income providers. The reduction of household income coupled with the already observed food price rise will further deteriorate the food security situation.
Food assistance
Under WFP's regional operation, priority areas for intervention are:
Guinea: Ebola treatment centres, isolated communities in border areas, and other “hot zones” within the affected prefectures including but not limited to Gueckoudou, Macenta, Youmou, N’zerekoré, Kissidougou, Fourecariah, Dubreka, Boffa, Conakry, Kourrousa, Siguiri, and Pita.
Sierra Leone: Ebola treatment centres in Kenema, Daru, Kailahun, and Koindu; isolated communities in border areas and other “hot zones” within the affected districts of Kenema, Kailahun, Bombali, PortLoko, Moyamba, Kambia, Tonkolil, Pujehun, Bo, Bonthe, Koinadgu and Western area.
Liberia: Ebola treatment centres, isolated communities in border areas, and other “hot zones” within the affected counties Montserrado, Lofa, Bong, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Nimba, Grand Bassa, and Rivercess. Logistics
WFP manages the UN Humanitarian Response Depots (UNHRD), which store emergency supplies that can be quickly transported within 24-48 hours. UNHRD has recently sent over US$200, 000 worth of protective gear like gloves, masks and emergency health kits for the World Health Organisation (WHO) from its depots in Ghana and Dubai.
WFP also manages the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), which transports humanitarian workers and light cargo to emergencies around the world. UNHAS is currently operating in West Africa and has flown more than 100 passengers from organisations like WHO, UNICEF, MSF and WFP into and out of the Ebola affected areas since 16 August.