What we do
With our recent and still ongoing Covid-19 Data Project, we saw a growing interest for data in humanitarian
emergencies. Indeed, data allows a better understanding of complex situations and the monitoring of the
spread of viruses on both national and subnational levels.
Our goal is to support African governments, NGOs and research institutes develop contingency measures to
contain the spread of Ebola as well as preparing for future waves or future epidemics. We work to support
anticipatory action and early warning systems within the humanitarian sector.
We have created two datasets to follow the spread of Ebola in DRC and Guinea, available on our webiste and
on HDX.
60 downloads were recorded in one day for our Guinea dataset, showing how important data is for local and
international organizations. We have focused on disaggregated data while also keeping an eye on data
protection and personal information. Knowing where the virus is spreading allows NGOs to target specific
regions or cities and to offer a more appropriate response to local communities.
A reminder :
The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a dangerous hemorrhagic fever virus which causes internal bleeding,
inflammation and tissue damage with symptoms of diarrhea, bleeding or intense fever. The disease which was
first detected in Africa in 1976 has a high fatality rate (around 50%).
In West Africa, between 2013 and 2016 the virus was detected in Guinea, Guéckédou (Nzérékoré province). It
then spread rapidly to Liberia and Sierra Leone, as well as to USA and Europe, which led the World Health
Organization into declaring it a PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern) in August 2014.
The cumulative cases of Ebola in 2016 were 28.000 with 11.000 deaths (40 % fatality rate).
Since 2018, DRC is struggling to eradicate the Ebola epidemic as repeated waves have been registered in
North Kivu. In 2019, the epidemic was declared a PHEIC by the WHO. In June 2020, the oubtreak was officialy
declared over with 3.470 reported cases and 2.280 deaths (65 % fatality rate).However, Ebola reappared
recently in February near Butembo, North Kivu with 4 cases registered and 2 deaths as of 16 February 2021.