Lessons Learned in Financing Rapid Response to Recent Epidemics in West and Central Africa : A Qualitative Study

In the wake of the 2014 Ebola Virus Disease (Ebola) crisis, the international development community, including the World Bank Group (WBG), have taken various institutional and operational steps to improve the advice, investments, and financing instruments to support both the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency responses to infectious disease outbreaks. Several World Bank instruments have been developed or adapted to more promptly deliver financial resources. The objective of the study is to inform the design and implementation of financing for rapid response to outbreaks through an analysis of lessons learned from recent outbreaks in West and Central Africa. This report will explain the methodology used to collect and analyze study data. It will then review the background, findings, and observations on mobilizing domestic and external funds for response in light of the evolution of epidemics in West Africa, Nigeria, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. The report summarizes the recent changes and key remaining challenges globally and in select countries summarized by the four selected themes (governance, effective financing, efficient use of resources, and preparedness). This report then offers conclusions and recommendations from this qualitative study