The contribution of anthropology during the operational response to an Ebola outbreak. An analysis of the West African Ebola epidemic

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1 CERAH working paper The contribution of anthropology during the operational response to an Ebola outbreak An analysis of the West African Ebola epidemic Valérie Davidoff CERAH Working Paper a Joint Centre of

Dissertation Master of Advanced Studies in Humanitarian Action Academic Year 2015-2016 The contribution of anthropology during the operational response to an Ebola outbreak An analysis of

2 Dissertation Master of Advanced Studies in Humanitarian Action Academic Year The contribution of anthropology during the operational response to an Ebola outbreak An analysis of the West African Ebola epidemic Submitted by Valérie DAVIDOFF Examining Board: Supervisor: Mrs Valérie Gorin President of the Board: Prof. Isabelle Milbert Expert: Dr Anne Golaz September

3 Abstract Keywords 2

4 Acknowledgements 3

5 Acronyms:

6 Table of Contents Part One I. Introduction II. The anthropological contributions to operational response in past Ebola outbreaks: overview of the literature III. The anthropological contributions to the EVD outbreak in West Africa Part Two I. The methodology II. MSF and WHO collaboration in the field of anthropology 5

7 III. An attempt of innovation IV. Knowledge gaps in anthropology V. Conclusion VI. Bibliography Annexes 6

8 I. Introduction Part One: Literature Review Map 1: Ebolavirus outbreaks by species and size,

9 Country Town Cases Deaths Species Year Multiple countries Multiple Zaire ebolavirus 2014 Table 1: Cases of Ebola Virus Disease in Africa, : *Numbers reflect laboratory confirmed cases only 5 5 8

11 a) The rationale b) The methodology 11 10

12 II. The anthropological contributions to operational response in past Ebola outbreaks: overview of the literature a) Before the West African outbreak in 2014 b) From collaboration to outbreak anthropology during EVD 11

13 c) Applied medical anthropology for operational response 12

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16 III. The anthropological contributions to the EVD outbreak in West Africa a) Overview of a selected literature after

17 b) Analysis of a different context and its specificities through new insights 16

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21 c) New tools and networks: the Knowledge Sharing Platforms 20

22 d) Conclusion of the literature review 33 21

23 Part Two I. The methodology a. The interviews 35 22

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25 II. MSF and WHO collaboration in the field of anthropology a) The recognition of anthropology through Ebola: a confirmed growing interest b) Advantages and limits of the collaboration 24

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28 III. An attempt of innovation a) Different schools and approaches 27

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30 b) Continuity versus re-invention c) New tools and new contributions 29

31 IV. Knowledge gaps in anthropology a) Topics to be studied 30

32 b) The role of anthropologists 31

33 c) The rapidity of the feedback d) The applicability of findings e) The link between anthropology and humanitarian aid 32

34 V. Conclusion See the Annex on the Criticism to the culturalist approach for further development. 33

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37 VI) Bibliography Books and articles selected before the West African outbreak 36

38 Books and articles selected from

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40 Annexes a. Definition of terms and concepts Tab 1: Example of Cultural or Explanatory models 39

41 Table 2: example of Acholi Explanatory models (Hewlett and Amola 2003, 1244) 40

42 41 Table 3: Summary of the Dunn's framework lessons learned (Hewlett and Hewlett 2008, 129)

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45 b) Criticism towards the outbreak anthropology and its culturalist roots 60 : valorization of the structural violence in the discourse 60 44

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47 c) Additional information regarding Part One III c) on: 46

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50 d) Interviews guide 49

Name: Ebola Epidemic: Student Worksheet

Name: Ebola Epidemic: Student Worksheet Ebola Epidemic: Student Worksheet Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease. The 2014 Ebola epidemic is the largest in history, affecting multiple countries