RAPID FOOD SECURITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Impacts of the Ebola Virus Disease in Liberia

October 15, 2014

Assessments Objectives, Methodology & ScopeThe main objective is to determine the

impacts of EVD on agriculture, food security, livelihoods & markets

Assessment methodology include:1. Secondary data collection & Desk review2. Primary data collection through KIIs and

FGDs with informants including GOL officials at County and District levels, Health workers, CACs, DAOs, PO, VSLA, Banks/MFIs, Agriculture Women Groups, Market leaders, Traders & Community Leaders.

Assessment covered all 15 counties

General ObservationsGiven the differences in geographic locations, farming seasons and livelihoods, a comprehensive report covering counties’ specifics as the field data has not yet been analyzed. However, from the highlights provided by the four team leaders, the following observations were common in in all counties:Main livelihoods affected across the country

include farming (food and cash crop production), petty trade, hunting, transportation, entertainment business, skilled laborers and contractors.

General Observations contd.Communities in districts with high cases or deaths of

EVD are most affected in terms of food security due to collapse in their income generating activities, they are quarantined, their movements restricted, stigmatized etc. An example is Seykimpa community in Sanniquellie District in Nimba County and Gbalaketella in Salala District Bong.

Markets suspension in some areasHouseholds in general are employing negative coping

strategies which include households’ changing the types of foods consumed, rationing the amount of food eaten, and sales of some assets in order to manage their food shortfall.

General Observations contd.Prices of most local and imported food

products as well as non-food items are perceive to be very high

Local cross border exchanges remains disrupted due to border closures between Guinean, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Liberia.

Stigmatization is a serious issue for communities that were quarantine and individuals who came out successfully from treatment centers. (Survivors)