The 2014 Ebola Epidemic in Liberia

       It is important to note some historical background on Liberia before analyzing the cartoons that have been made in response to the 2014 Ebola epidemic. Prior to the outbreak in Liberia, the country was in the process of reconstruction after their second civil war, which came to an end in 2003 (Tsakiridis, 2014). The second civil war left the country in a vulnerable state, for Liberia was bankrupt and 300,00 people were killed (Tsakiridis, 2014). Liberia’s infrastructures and social systems were also dismantled and were in need of address (Tsakiridis, 2014). With the election of President Ellen Johnson, who assumed office in 2006, Liberia began to see progress in the wake of this civil war (Glencorse, 2013). Since then, there have been elections, debt has been forgiven, and there has been economic growth within Liberia (Glencorse, 2013). It could be said that Liberia was on the road to progress.

       Although this progress has been made, there are still some areas of concern for Liberia. For one, they receive millions of dollars in international aid from the United States, but still remains one of the poorest countries in the world (Glencorse, 2013). Due to an outdated aid system, this has created a Liberian government that is dependent on this international aid (Glencorse, 2013). Currently, the Liberian government is more oriented toward receiving this generous aid as opposed to being oriented towards its own citizens (Glencorse, 2013). It also creates opportunity for corruption with these funds, for there are overlapping authorities within donor organizations established in Liberia (Glencorse, 2013). These organizations also steer well-qualified Liberians away from taking on roles within the government or with civil society positions due to the higher wagers they offer (Glencorse, 2013). This further encourages a government that is focused externally, to being accountable to these “taxpayers in the West rather than to its own people” (Glencourse, 2013, p. 1).

       Along with this potential corruption that occurs in the outdated international aid system, there is also significant social tension between the people and the government. This mistrust occurs due to the weakened health-care system in place and can also be dated back to colonialist history of West Africa (Tsakiridis, 2014). There is mistrust amongst some citizens for international organizations and non-governmental organizations, for they are often see as competing against traditional faith healers, which are also the community elders (Tsakiridis, 2014). Therefore, there is often resistance against healthcare by those in the community. When family members get sick, there have been incidences of the family members hiding it out of fear that they would die alone in the hospital (Tsakiridis, 2014). Rumors also have circulated that the health-care workers are the ones spreading diseases (Tsakiridis, 2014). These rumors have further prevented infected peoples from seeking help out of fear of hospitals, which are being portrayed as locations of spreading diseases (Tsakiridis, 2014).  This mistrust will be even more apparent during the 2014 Ebola outbreak.