This report is a contribution to ongoing efforts by the Governments of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to design their national Ebola virus disease recovery strategies. It has been prepared by a joint team of experts led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and comprising UN agencies and the World Bank, European Union and African Development Bank, in consultation with the African Union, Economic Community of West African States and Mano River Union. In addition to studying existing assessments of the impact of the Ebola crisis, the team visited the three countries from 12 to 16 January 2015 toconsult with governments and development partners. This report as well as three detailed reports submitted to each of the three  governments are contributions to their national recovery planning processes. It reflects the views of the technical teams involved.

The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in parts of West Africa is now the largest, longest, most severe and most complex in the nearly four-decade history of this disease.

The socio-economic impact of the EVD outbreak is substantial. National economies have become isolated with stalemates in key sectors. Many people have lost employment, and agricultural fields have been abandoned in the most-affected rural areas. Livelihoods of households and communities have deteriorated. The education of an estimated 5 million children and youth has been set back as schools did not re-open at the start of the new school year in September 2014.

The outbreak has strained the finances of governments. Additional expenditure to contain the EVD crisis amidst drastic shortfalls in domestic revenue has increased national deficits.

In response to a call by the United Nations Secretary-General and the Governments of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, an international team conducted an Ebola Recovery Assessment.The aim was to contribute towards
laying the foundation for short-, medium- and long-term recovery while the medical emergency response continues to tackle the epidemic.