-
The International Response To The Outbreak Of The Ebola Crisis In West Africa
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
Page 2 of 4
-
-
-
Fear has compounded this crisis. Women are giving birth without modern
medical attendants because they fear going to clinics; use of birth
control has plummeted; HIV testing has practically stopped, and routine
checkups and immunizations have ground to a halt. An increase in
avoidable deaths and a resurgence in numerous different types of
ailments may follow. Fear also is eroding social ties, as family and
communal celebrations are postponed, and even cured Ebola patients are
shunned by their families and communities.
Fear is also exacerbating
the impact of the epidemic, leading to the closure of schools and
businesses and slowing down planting and harvesting. The closure of
borders and efforts by shipping companies to limit exposure to the
disease are reducing external trade. Some workers are dying, others are
fleeing infected areas, and quarantines and travel restrictions are
preventing people from going to work. Official estimates, which are
roughly consistent with simulations based on econometric modelling,
indicate that the epidemic may be reducing growth in the three countries
by between 3 to 6 percent this year. Moreover, uncertainty over the
epidemic’s duration and economic impact has brought investment to a
halt, reducing the prospects for growth in future years even if the
virus is rapidly contained.
Finally, in the midst of the crisis, we
must not lose sight of these countries’ desperate need to re-set
development, but on a more sustainable path. Evidence from this study
shows that an increase in quality spending in health and development
projects is a critical path to recovery. Governments and donors are
understandably eager to devote as many resources as possible to
containing the epidemic. But attention must still be given to how these
economies can best recover and again achieve improvements in human
welfare once the disease has been contained. UNDP, in collaboration with
UNMEER, is working with national and
international partners to contain the disease and help the affected countries recover.
Strengthening
health systems, and addressing the structural vulnerabilities that
allowed Ebola to take hold in the first place will help to ensure such a
crisis may never happen again. (UNDP, Regional Director, 2014).
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
Page 2 of 4
-
