Asked by: Jonathan Evans (Conservative - Cardiff North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the Ebola outbreak on the political and economic stability of the West African nations affected; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by James Duddridge
We monitor the stability of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia closely, drawing on reporting from our Embassies in the region. The Ebola outbreak has not led to widespread public order problems in any of the three countries, though isolated incidents have occurred. Their Governments have proved largely resilient, despite the enormous pressures caused by the crisis. Britain’s support to the Ebola response and our long-standing political, development, and security partnership with the Sierra Leonean Government has been a major contributory factor in that country. The economies of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea have all suffered from Ebola whilst falls in commodity prices have also affected growth. The latest World Bank reports suggest that growth may be flat or negative and will stretch Government finances. Agriculture, tourism and services sectors have been worst hit. In recent years, we have worked closely with the Sierra Leonean authorities to promote long-term economic growth, and will intensify these efforts to help them mitigate the effects of the current crisis.