An igc study found 12% of businesses surveyed across liberia during the peak of the ebola crisis septnov 2014 reported to have closed down since they were first surveyed in 2012, far exceeding africas average business closure rate. World health organization, avenue appia 20, 1211 geneva 27, switzerland. Socioeconomic impact of ebola virus disease in west. Ebola threatens economic gains in affected countries.
For instance, many west african communities rely on traditional healers and witch doctors, who use herbal remedies, massage, chant, and witchcraft to cure. Nevertheless, given population mobility, international travel, and an increasingly globalized economy, it has the potential to reoccur and evolve into a global pandemic. Its because of the way the economies are structured. In addition to the enormous and tragic loss of human life, the ebola epidemic is having devastating effects on these west african economies in a variety of essential sectors by halting trade. Nevertheless we need to understand these broader economic effects to form effective policy responses. The world bank shares this outlook, revising growth estimates for the three countries. Ebola virus effects on the bushmeat trade in west africa article pdf available in african journal of ecology 534. Dr adeola, majiyagbe, head, strategic initiatives, research and development, made this known while speaking on the topic ebolasocial and economic impact at the nigeriasouth africa chamber of commerces october 2014 breakfast forum sponsored by total health trust. The epidemic of ebola virus disease in the democratic republic of the congo drc is the second largest in history after the 2014 west african epidemic. To fully understand the extent of the resulting challenges, i asked healthcare professionals in west africa and the united states, as well as investors and economists attuned to the fiscal and economic realities. Effects of the ebola crisis on the education system and its community 50 measures undertaken by. Ebola virus first broke out in zaire and sudan in 1976. Socioeconomic impacts of the ebola on africa united. This has indeed shaken africa to its foundation as several aspects of.
Travel bookings to african nations thousands of kilometres from. Aside from the devastating health effects, the ebola epidemic also had a pronounced socioeconomic impact. The impact of hiv and aids on africas economic development. The ebola virus disease evd outbreak in west africa has the worst death toll since the disease was diagnosed in 1976.
An ebola outbreak was unprecedented in west africa and the region wasnt prepared, lippeveld said. Background the 2014 ebola virus disease evd outbreak in the neighbouring west african countries of guinea, liberia and sierra leone represents the most significant setback to the regions development in over a decade. Economic impact of ebola disease guinea 20142017 statista. Washington, september 17, 2014the ebola epidemic in west africa has stolen the lives of nearly 3,000 people since january 2014. Significant efforts were invested in halting the recent ebola virus disease outbreak in west africa. Shortterm effects and fiscal impacts 9 introduction 9 liberia 11 sierra leone 18. Death rates of west african ebola and major infectious diseases 2016. Cost of the ebola epidemic error processing ssi file. Within a space of six months from the recent outbreak in march 2014, ebola virus disease evd has claimed over 2000 lives in liberia, guinea, sierraleone and nigeria. This statistic displays the estimated economic impact of the latest ebola outbreak in the three most affected west african countries during 2015. Unless all actors learn from the crisis, a similar disaster may be just a matter of time. The first cases were recorded in guinea in december 20. Although guinea, liberia and sierra leone have suffered serious gdp losses, the effects on both west africa and the continent as a whole will be minimal, partly because, on the basis of 20s estimates, the three economies together account for only 2. Even before the ebola outbreak, these three west african countries were among the worlds poorest.
Public health impact of the 20142015 ebola outbreak in. Socioeconomic impact of ebola virus disease in west african countries a call for national and regional containment, recovery and prevention united nations development group undg. Aside from the devastating health effects, the ebola epidemic also had a pronounced socioeconomic impact in guinea, liberia, and sierra leone. Understanding the economic effects of the 2014 ebola. The most severe impact of the ebola epidemic, which began in guinea in december 20 and quickly spread to liberia and sierra leone, has been in lost human lives and suffering. Assessing the link between the 2014 west africa ebola outbreak and u. The effects of the 2014 ebola outbreak on travel in africa.
Voices how the cost of ebola damaged the entire african economy. If its not in our backyard or doesnt effect our lives on a daily basis, why should we be concerned. A storm of detrimental factors complicates this event. It has affected every corner of society in the countries most affected. Pdf the pervasiveness of ebola virus disease in africa. Direct and indirect health care system impact, impact on children, cost of response, travel impact in guinea, liberia, and sierra leone. The 20142015 ebola virus disease evd outbreak was unique in geography and extent, with most of the 28 610 cases and 11 308 deaths, including among healthcare workers hcw, occurring in guinea, liberia and sierra leone. Most african countries avoid major economic loss but impact on guinea, liberia, sierra leone remains crippling.
The impact of ebola on health care systems and the economy. Of ebola the present study assesses the socioeconomic impact of the disease on the affected countries and africa as a whole. Struggling health systems in west african countries hinder the ability to reduce the causes and effects of the ebola epidemic. Since march 2014, over 3,000 people have died from the relentless spread of the ebola virus throughout west africa. This report, prepared for the world economic forum at davos, focuses on the. West africa is still paying the price for its poor response to the ebola epidemic. Pdf impact of ebola on west african economies through. Its hard for us to imagine or understand how events halfway around the world have impact our lives, whether it be war, disasters, or even disease. Now, studies are emerging on the magnitude of the indirect health effects of the outbreak in the affected countries, and the aim of this study is to systematically assess the results of these publications. A timeline a timeline ting e a leone, with tion t on the wider s. Mortality rates were 88% in zaire and 66% in sudan, with 500 cases.
The effects of the ebola outbreak in africa on travel. This study provides evidence on the extent to which economic activity declined and jobs disappeared in liberia during the outbreak. Established research on the biophysical impacts of climate change on key sectors water, agriculture, and biodiversity integrates the climate change scenarios but further research is needed in a number of areas, such as the climate impacts on cities and the built environment. Climate change impacts and adaptation in south africa.
The effect of the ebola crisis on the education systems. The macroeconomic impact of the ebola virus disease 37. Liberias economic downturn during the ebola outbreak was severe. In a definitive response to the ebola outbreak sweeping western africa, liberias president ellen johnson sirleaf has ordered the closure of all but. The reduction in access to healthcare services because of ebola caused an estimated. The democratic republic of the congo drc is currently battling the second worst ever outbreak of ebola, in the conflictaffected and. Keywords epidemics, global health, health security, trade. The ebola virus epidemic in west africa has had a large effect on the culture of most of the west african countries. Ebola, jobs and economic activity in liberia journal of. Since the end of the conflict in 2003, the economy has not yet reached pre2003 levels of real per capita gdp. Socioeconomic impacts of the ebola on africa download the overall objective is to assess the socioeconomic impacts of evd not only on the countries with widespread and intense transmission, but west africa more widely and the continent as a wholeboth the. With more than 1,300 reported deaths from ebola in west africa, the virus continues to be an urgent health crisis, but it is also having a devastating impact on the economies of guinea, liberia and sierra leone. A discussion of the social and economic cost of ebola in guinea, liberia and sierra leone.
While the impact of hivaids on people has been well documented, it has been much more difficult to observe the pandemics effects on the african economy as a whole or to assess how it might affect africas future development. Who, the drc government, and nongovernmental organisation ngo partners have shown remarkable leadership but are badly. Effects of the west africa ebola virus disease on health. Closed borders and abandoned farms are driving up food costs leaving many people in rural communities hungry. In relation to the banks april 2015 update, this report.
This study investigates the impact of ebola on west african economies through the trade channel, articles from relevant journals and trade data of west african countries were gathered from national bureau of statistics, and other relevant. The ebola epidemic in west africa is not just a health care crisis. Central african republic, chad, comoros, republic of congo. Ebolasocial and economic impact nigeria south africa. Cost of the ebola epidemic centers for disease control. These funds could also be used to benefit other strategic sectors of the economy that have been hit hard by ebola, including education, agriculture and food security, and services. In most instances, the effect is a rather negative one as it has disrupted many africans traditional norms and practices. How the cost of ebola damaged the entire african economy. This update presents the world banks final analysis of the economic and fiscal effects of the 20142015 west african ebola epidemic and commodity price shocks across the three most affected countries of guinea, liberia, and sierra leone.
Pdf ebola virus effects on the bushmeat trade in west africa. The outbreak of ebola in western africa has negatively impacted on the economies of affected countries and also on tourism which is a key economic driver. It was discovered that ebola virus will affect the gdps of west african economies of liberia, sierra leone and guinea more than nigeria. The impact of ebola on health care systems and the economy in west africa. Impact of ebola on the economy impact of ebola on the healthcare system indirect impact of ebola on health care. The social and economic effects of ebola in west africa. Schools have been closed for months, infrastructure projects have been put on hold and gdp growth has slowed to a crawl. This update presents the world banks final analysis of the economic and fiscal effects of the 20142015 west african ebola epidemic and commodity price shocks across the three most affected countries of. Ebola economic impact western african countries 2015.
1641 802 693 377 746 413 483 987 466 1145 286 1602 96 344 1341 1090 886 867 1015 230 449 1442 1298 1005 1100 175 42 1404 1460 173 884 1326 379 1212 49