Food security and livelihoods assessed in Liberia in wake of Ebola outbreak


A rapid field assessment mission on food security and livelihoods is getting underway in Liberia to assess the impact of the deadly Ebola disease.

Liberia is the country most affected by the outbreak in West Africa.

The two-week mission, by the Liberian Ministry of Agriculture, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) is part of efforts to better understand the critical needs of the affected communities.

During the mission in Liberia's 15 counties, FAO and WFP will hold focus groups discussions and questionnaires with participants from various sectors.

They include farmers, forest users, traders, community leaders, elders, women and youth groups.

The UN estimates that more than 3, 000 people have died from Ebola in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

SOURCE: Derrick Mbatha, United Nations.