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Six years ago, the populations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone were severely affected by an unprecedented Ebola hemorrhagic epidemic. In all, more than 11,000 people died in the affected countries.

As with COVID-19, the affected communities faced not only a health problem, but also a potential hunger crisis.

But thanks to swift action on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), and with the support of donors (World Bank, USAID, EU, Canada, etc.), CORAF and its governmental and private-sector partners have provided timely assistance to affected communities, CORAF and its governmental and private-sector partners have provided timely assistance to affected communities by mobilizing seeds at regional level in support of affected countries, but also by helping these countries to rebuild their seed systems.

Cowpea seeds from Niger were delivered to affected communities in Liberia. From Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali and Nigeria, rice seed was delivered to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The rapid response of Ghana and Senegal ensured the supply of maize seed to farmers and producers in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Trucks loaded with seeds traveled thousands of kilometers to be delivered to affected communities.

In total, around 4,500 tonnes of certified seed were mobilized to help affected communities produce rice for food in 2015. A further 8,500 certified seeds provided relief to farmers and households during the 2016 cropping season.

Drawing on its track record and extensive experience in conducting interventions with a regional dimension, CORAF was able to provide the necessary coordination and facilitation. Working with the private sector, donors and decision-makers in several countries, CORAF made a significant contribution to averting the predicted food crisis.

Rarely in the history of West Africa has there been such a demonstration of solidarity. For ECOWAS and UEMOA, it was a perfect testament to his vision of promoting regional integration and cross-sector collaboration to tackle regional challenges.

Is a similar approach needed to respond to a possible "COVID-19-induced hunger crisis"?

If COVID-19 persists until early next winter, its effects on the food system and economies of West African countries will far exceed those of the Ebola epidemic in terms of size and scope.

According to the Food Crisis Prevention Network (RPCA), an initiative of the Sahel and West Africa Club, more than 15 million people will be affected by the difficult food situation in West Africa, the Sahel and Cameroon This figure could, in a context without COVID-19, exceed 17 million people during the June-August 2020 period, according to RPCA data. "The crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic is plunging the global economy to depths not seen since the Second World War. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost all African countries and looks set to worsen dramatically," according to a recent African Union report on the effects of COVID-19 on African economies.

The World Food Program warns of famines on a biblical scale if urgent measures are not taken.

West Africa reacts in time

Aware of the devastating effects on West African food and nutrition systems, West African Ministers of Agriculture and Food met on March 31, 2020, under the leadership of ECOWAS, to take concrete steps to stem the effects over the next agricultural season.

During the meeting, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources highlighted the 2016 model for supplying key agricultural inputs to those in need.

CORAF's approach to delivery to Ebola-affected communities was presented as a model for managing seed delivery in a crisis.

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