Liberia - Emergency Assistance to Fight the Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic

The present Emergency Assistance Project for the amount of one million USD (USD 1,000,000) aims to support the Government of Liberia’s efforts to urgently strengthen its Ebola epidemic response capacity. Following the confirmation of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Guinea, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) in Liberia has recorded two episodes of EVD epidemics in less than six months. The first epidemic which began on 22nd March and ended in April, 2014 mainly affected two counties. The last case was confirmed on 10th April, 2014. Cumulatively, six cases were confirmed positive of the virus and all died at the time, (Case Fatality Rate of 100%). On 25th of May 2014, the Ministry received an investigation report of what became the index case of the second wave of EVD epidemic from Lofa County. Both episodes of the epidemic were cross border importation with the first wave of the epidemic imported from Guinea. The magnitude and the geographical extent of the EVD outbreak in Liberia require significant and robust response capacities and structures. This funding proposal will complement the efforts of the government and other partners to mobilize and involve all sectors, including civil society and communities, to develop a coordinated and effective response to the Ebola epidemic. The project has four (4) components: (i) Coordinating the Outbreak Response; (ii) Strengthening Epidemiological Surveillance and Laboratory Capacities; (iii) Improving Case Management and Infection Prevention and Control of EVD; (iv) Promoting Social Mobilization, Public information and Communication. The activities proposed under it can be carried out expeditiously and effectively within the required timeframe of six months.