Categories: All - agriculture - trade - tourism - economy

by Corine Bateman 6 years ago

85

Ebola Crisis

The outbreak of the disease has significant social and economic consequences for the affected areas. The financial sector is under severe strain as banks face liquidity issues due to wealthy individuals withdrawing funds and creditors missing payments.

Ebola Crisis

The disease has both social and economic implications in the areas affected.

The fear of the disease more than the disease itself is causing people to stop trading, mining, farming, saving, travelling and spending on the continent.

Ebola Crisis

Tourism

Most major airlines cancelled flights in and out of countries affected by the disease
The bans also create a stereotype of the African continent and make it so people assume they will contract the virus if they travel to any part of the continent.
With flight also being impacted, even more trade is being stopped and prices of medication and supplies are rising

Fiscal Challenges

The government is in a tough place because it is losing money on trade tariffs (because trade has been reduced) and has to pay more for medical supplies to address the outbreak
This will lead to prolonged government debt and higher taxes for citizens to balance the budget.
93 million for Liberia (4.7% of GDP) 79 million for Sierra Leone (1.8% of GDP) 120 million for Guinea (1.8% of GDP)

Agriculture

Planting season was interrupted by the outbreak.
This will increase inflation and the price of food by as much as 13%
Again, A large portion of GDP is dependent on agriculture (20-57%)

Financial Sector

Banks will face liquidity issues if large depositors withdraw funds and creditors miss payments
This puts the whole financial system in Jeprody because there is no capital moving throughout the capital and as seen in the great depression, when banks fail, the entire economy is next.
Many wealthy people have taken their money and left these countries

Mining and Investment

Global companies are moving their mining operations out of the west African Countries
The companies are stopping operations and sending foreign workers home. There
14% of Liberia's economy 17% of Sierra Leone's economy

Mobility restrictions, trade and transport

To stop the spread of the virus, transport and trade between and West African countries
Reduces production and employment.
This trade accounts for 20-75% of GDP