Rapid Assessment key findings Key contributors in alphabetical order: ACF, Concern Aid International, FAO, Liberia, Food Security Cluster, LISGIS, Mercy Corps, MOA, UNDP, WFP, WeltHungerHilfe Fighting Hunger Worldwide Key informants: Agriculture associations, CAC, Community leaders, DAO, EPA, Food Security NGOs, FDA, Local administration Local Ebola task force, MFI, Producers groups, RUAF, Rural Women structures,
Background/Methodology The main objective is to determine the impacts of EVD on agriculture, livelihoods & markets and food security DRAFT- Not for circulation Assessment methodology: 1. Secondary data collection & desk review 2. Primary data collection through KIIs and FGDs with informants including GOL officials at County and District levels, Health workers, CACs, DAOs, Fighting Hunger Worldwide PO, VSLA, Banks/MFIs, Agriculture Women Groups, Market leaders, Traders & Community Leaders. 3. Assessment covered all 15 counties (35 districts) 4. 298 traders interviewed 5. 301 key informants interviewed DRAFT
Methodology (cont.) • The analysis did not specifically distinguish rural and urban area DRAFT- Not for circulation • This assessment focuses on county level and not on household food security level • Data available provides a good understanding of the impact of EVD on agriculture, markets and livelihoods. Fighting Hunger Worldwide • Some responses were not found consistent with the observations on the field • Complementary data from partners was included to compensate and refine the analysis DRAFT
Key documents produced (final drafts) • Counties specifics DRAFT- Not for circulation • Narrative reports • Indicator table Based on the county specific analysis and selection criteria (EVD Fighting Hunger Worldwide caseload, market functionality, agriculture activities), 3 clusters of counties were identified: most affected, medium affected and less affected by EVD DRAFT 13 November 2014
Most affected counties: Bomi, Bong, Lofa and Margibi, Nimba Criteria: DRAFT- Not for circulation • Those counties represent 88% of EVD cases over the total number of EVD cases in rural areas • These counties were quarantined or partially quarantined • Some of their markets have been officially suspended since the Fighting Hunger Worldwide start of the state of emergency • EVD has a direct impact on agricultural production DRAFT
Most affected counties: Bomi, Bong, Lofa and Margibi, Nimba EVD impact on agriculture (rice) DRAFT- Not for circulation • During the main phase of EVD outbreak, kuu system was affected. • Farmers feared that kuu system might be affected at the time of the harvest Fighting Hunger Worldwide • Weeding was limited as well as fencing. 93 % of key informants estimated a yield reduction. Some assessments suggest a decrease of 10 to 15% in general and up to 25% in most affected districts • No problem was reported for the planting of rice this season DRAFT 13 November 2014
Most affected counties: Bomi, Bong, Lofa and Margibi, Nimba EVD impact on agriculture (cont.) DRAFT- Not for circulation • 65% of key informants reported that cassava was affected too. • Informants reported that harvest was impacted because of limited markets and not because of production problems. • Vegetable production was impacted because people could not Fighting Hunger Worldwide sell their production. Informants reported that farmers may plant limited surfaces in the future if markets remain closed DRAFT
Most affected counties: Bomi, Bong, Lofa and Margibi, Nimba EVD impact on livelihood DRAFT- Not for circulation • Markets were severely affected (closure, road blocks…) • There is a limited supply of food to the markets, main traders are not coming • Income generative activities were severely affected Fighting Hunger Worldwide • Income is reduced at household level according to 93% of informants • Even when market receives limited supply, local population is lacking sufficient cash to buy food DRAFT
Most affected counties: Bomi, Bong, Lofa and Margibi, Nimba EVD impact on livelihood DRAFT- Not for circulation • Shock happened during lean season • WFP mVAM shown that the reduced coping index is the highest in some of most affected counties • People are dependent on market for access to food Fighting Hunger Worldwide • Petty trade is the second income source for most affected counties • Livestock was affected by the closure of the border (lack of feeding and limited restocking). DRAFT 13 November 2014
Most affected counties: Bomi, Bong, Lofa and Margibi, Nimba EVD impact on markets DRAFT- Not for circulation • Bomi has the largest market for imported broken rice and has known one of the most severe drop in sales due to the low number of customers reportedly. • Despite the drop in sales, the price for imported broken rice follows a seasonal pattern slightly higher than in 2013. Fighting Hunger Worldwide • Bong relies mainly on suppliers from outside of the county, it largely suffered from an inconsistent external supply during the last months. DRAFT 13 November 2014
Most affected counties: Bomi, Bong, Lofa and Margibi, Nimba EVD impact on markets DRAFT- Not for circulation • Lofa county is an important producer of palm oil and local rice. Traders in Lofa mainly rely on farmers within the county. While the number of customers is decreasing severely, traders are running out of stocks. A main trade obstacle is reported to be « insecurity ». Fighting Hunger Worldwide • Margibi is a high deficit area in rice and cassava. Traders rely on suppliers from outside of the county for their stock replenishment. • Nimba still has a high number of traders active in the county. DRAFT 13 November 2014
Medium affected counties: Montserrado rural, Gran Bassa and Grand Cape Mount Criteria: DRAFT- Not for circulation • Limited number of cases of Ebola • No or limited impact of EVD outbreak and quarantine measures on rice and cassava production • Important impact on weekly markets and fresh products due to Fighting Hunger Worldwide road, market and border closures DRAFT 13 November 2014
Medium affected counties: Montserrado rural, Gran Bassa and Grand Cape Mount EVD impact on agriculture DRAFT- Not for circulation • On average 60% said that harvest will be lower than last year production. • On average 74% of key informants said that cassava production will be better than or equal as last year production Fighting Hunger Worldwide • Counties who had the information reported that 30% of their seeds came from external assistance. • Informants reported that they fear that quarantine measures will affect seed supply for next season DRAFT
Medium affected counties: Montserrado rural, Gran Bassa and Grand Cape Mount EVD impact on livelihood DRAFT- Not for circulation • Markets were severely affected (closure, road blocks…) • There is a limited supply of food to the markets, main traders are not coming • Income generative activities were severely affected and income Fighting Hunger Worldwide is reduced at household level • Even when market receives limited supply, local population is lacking sufficient cash to buy food • Livestock was affected by the closure of the border (lack of feeding and limited restocking) DRAFT
Medium affected counties: Montserrado rural, Gran Bassa, Nimba and Grand Cape Mount EVD impact on markets DRAFT- Not for circulation Moderate impact on markets • Grand Bassa has a large market for Palm Oil. It’s price from March to August 2014 was lower than in 2013. Only in September an increase was reported. Fighting Hunger Worldwide • Grand Cape Mount has less suffered from a drop in customers as gari is exported to other areas, however here the main obstacle was reported to be the border closure. DRAFT
Less affected: Gbarpolu, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Maryland, River Gee, Rivercress, Sinoe Criteria: DRAFT- Not for circulation • Limited number of cases of EVD, 4% of the total of cases in rural counties • Production seems not to be impacted by EVD • Market indirectly impacted by quarantine measures ; border Fighting Hunger Worldwide closure, as well as structural issues DRAFT 13 November 2014
Less affected: Gbarpolu, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Maryland, River Gee, Rivercress, Sinoe EVD impact on agriculture DRAFT- Not for circulation • In counties that were not affected by floods, respectively 76% and 95% of key informants said that rice and cassava harvests will be the same as or better than last year • 100% of informants in flood affected counties (Grand Gedeh, Sinoe and Maryland) reported that this season is worse than Fighting Hunger Worldwide last one • There is a structural lack of seeds as about half of the seeds were provided through assistance DRAFT
Less affected : Gbarpolu, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Maryland, River Gee, Rivercress, Sinoe EVD impact on livelihood DRAFT- Not for circulation • At the time of the survey marketing of goods had been affected by the closure of markets and borders • Structural issues such as poor roads prevent the marketing of the production Fighting Hunger Worldwide • Income is reduced at household level • Even when market receives limited supply, local population is lacking cash to buy food • Livestock was affected by the closure of the border (lack of feeding and limited restocking) DRAFT
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