Evaluation of the USAID/OFDA Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response in West Africa 2014-2016: Objective 1, Effectiveness of the Response

(IBTCI) at the request of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The report evaluates the effectiveness of the response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa from 2014 to 2016. The evaluation report was prepared by a team of experts led by Dr. Swati Sadaphal, MBBS, MHS, with Jennifer Leigh, MPH, Gayla Cook, M.Sc., Steven Hansch, MPH, and Dr. Michael Toole, MBBS. The report was submitted to USAID on September 13, 2017, and re-submitted on January 8, 2018. The report acknowledges the support of the full technical team, including Sharon Abramowitz, Annette Bongiovanni, Gilbert Burnham, Robert Grossman-Vermaas, William Lyerly, Barry Mahmoud, Phillip Nieburg, Natalie Pederson, Deborah Rugg, Naomi Rutenberg, Samuel Delito Turay, Ronald Waldman, and Kokpar Wohwoh. The authors also express gratitude to Cara Carter and Yuliya Dudaronak of ORB International and their teams for reaching over 16,000 individuals and families in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The report evaluates the effectiveness of the response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa from 2014 to 2016. The evaluation design and methods used in the report include data collection methods, field implementation, data management, and analysis. The report presents findings on the overall effectiveness of the response, as well as specific findings related to evaluation questions 1, 2, and 3. The report concludes that the response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa from 2014 to 2016 was effective in reducing the number of cases and deaths. The report also identifies areas for improvement, including the need for more effective contact tracing and the need for better coordination between international partners. The report provides recommendations for future responses to public health emergencies, including the need for more effective communication and coordination between international partners, the need for more effective contact tracing, and the need for better support for affected communities. The report was prepared for Caroline Andresen, Contracting Officer's Representative, Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, United States Agency for International Development. The report was submitted to USAID on January 8, 2018.