Evaluation of the USAID/OFDA Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response in West Africa 2014-2016: Objective 3, Relevance of the Response

(IBTCI) at the request of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The report focuses on Objective 3: Relevance of the Response. The evaluation report was made possible by the support of USAID under contract number AID-OAA-I-15-00022. The contents of the publication are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. The evaluation team consisted of Jennifer Leigh, MPH, Public Health Advisor, and other experts, including Dr. Swati Sadaphal, MBBS, MHS, Team Leader, and Dr. Michael Toole, MBBS, Senior Evaluation & Public Health Specialist. The team conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the USAID/OFDA response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa from 2014 to 2016. The evaluation report includes an executive summary, introduction, background, methodology, findings, and recommendations. The report provides an overview of the response context, epidemiologic aspects of EVD in West Africa, theory of change, OFDA-supported IPs and activities, and response funding. The evaluation design and methods involved data collection through roundtable discussions, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys. The team collected data from over 16,000 individuals and families in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, in collaboration with ORB International. The findings of the evaluation report are presented in the following sections: overall findings, findings by country, and summary conclusions. The report highlights the effectiveness of the USAID/OFDA response in West Africa, including the relevance of the response to the needs of affected communities. The recommendations section of the report provides guidance for future responses to public health emergencies, including the importance of community engagement, coordination among stakeholders, and the need for flexible funding mechanisms. The evaluation report is a comprehensive assessment of the USAID/OFDA response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa from 2014 to 2016. The report provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of the response and offers recommendations for future responses to public health emergencies.