Though the main focus of the Ebola virus disease crisis in Liberia has been around prevention, treatment and public health, the economic impact of Ebola is quickly demonstrating that it also merits close attention. Households have less access to basic goods on the market because of reduced incomes resulting in a change in eating habits; supply of goods is constrained due to border and market closures, as well as transportation problems; and challenges in the agricultural sector may affect farmers’ ability to have a normal harvest in the upcoming planting seasons. Some of these issues may have immediate remedies, while others will require medium to long-term interventions.
To better understand the economic impact of the Ebola crisis on households and markets in Liberia, Mercy Corps conducted an assessment in Lofa and Nimba counties and parts of Monrovia from Oct 3-13, 2014. The assessment shows that the Ebola crisis and its resulting restrictions are putting a strain on the supply of goods in the market and an even greater one on the power of households to purchase the goods that are available. This report makes recommendations to lessen the economic impact of the Ebola crisis, including short-term interventions that may ease constraints on market systems and increase food security without disrupting Ebola prevention efforts.