How Can Organizing for Health Build Peace? 

Lessons from Liberia’s Ebola Outbreak

While recent headlines have been dominated by stories of conflict, pandemics, and political  turmoil, it is easy to miss the subtler narratives of resilience and unity. Such stories of peacebuilding, driven by ordinary citizens and community leaders, can be powerful and inspiring. In one such case from Liberia, West Africa, health, organizing, and peacebuilding intersected to achieve positive outcomes in the aftermath of  the Ebola crisis.  

Health and Conflict are Interconnected 

It is becoming increasingly clear that good health and peace are intertwined. War zones and post conflict areas often struggle with weakened health systems, and outbreaks of diseases can  exacerbate social tensions and even lead to violence. Liberia, which endured civil wars from  1989 to 2003, faced this reality. Although the war had come to an end, the country was still  fragile when Ebola entered in 2014. Thousands of people died, and fear and violence broke out  in communities. But despite the public health catastrophe, peacebuilders also emerged.  

Liberia’s experience during Ebola teaches us a valuable lesson: Addressing public health crises  and peacebuilding must go hand in hand. These dual efforts were led by locally-driven  peacebuilding groups like one identified as the Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI; pseudonym)  in a recent article published in the journal Health Communication. While the primary aim of the  VPI was to reduce political violence, its members quickly pivoted to address Ebola prevention as  the crisis unfolded. 

Turning Health Challenges into Opportunities for Peace 

During the Ebola outbreak, Liberia’s fragile post-war society was once again thrown into  turmoil. Interestingly, a group that had long been associated with unrest—the pen-pen riders, or  motorcycle taxi drivers—became key players in the public health response. These young men,  many of whom had fought in the civil war as children, were initially regarded with suspicion.  However, with VPI’s guidance, they emerged as vital contributors to Ebola prevention efforts.  

The pen-pen riders were well-poised for this role. Their knowledge of local communities and  dialects, combined with their ability to travel quickly from place to place, made them ideal to  distribute supplies and educate the public on Ebola prevention practices. By stepping up during  the crisis, they redefined themselves in the eyes of their community. They were no longer seen as  a source of instability but rather as peacebuilders. Their transformation highlights another  important lesson in peacebuilding: Involving marginalized groups can strengthen community ties  and foster social cohesion.  

Building Social Cohesion Through Health Initiatives 

The success of Liberia’s pen-pen riders during the Ebola crisis offers a powerful lesson for  peacebuilding worldwide. Organizing toward health can serve as a tool for uniting communities,  even those divided by conflict. As community members worked together to fight a common  enemy—in this case the Ebola virus—they set aside their differences. The pen-pen riders who  were once seen as dangerous became symbols of hope and solidarity. As one pen-pen rider was quoted, “I got to understand the importance of my life. So the only way you can enjoy life is  peace.” 

This work was not only about preventing the spread of Ebola. It was also about fostering social  cohesion, preventing violence, and promoting well-being. Health crises by nature force people to  rely on one another, and this interdependence can be a powerful driver of peace.  

The Role of Local Leadership in Conflict Prevention 

One of the key factors behind the success of the VPI’s Ebola response in Liberia was the local  leadership that guided it. Rather than imposing solutions from outside, the VPI focused on  engaging local citizens to identify problems and develop their own strategies. This locally-led  approach allowed the peacebuilding efforts to be more sustainable and culturally sensitive. 

Conflict prevention does not always look like traditional peace talks or peacekeeping missions.  Often, it involves building relationships and trust among community members. In Liberia, health  initiatives provided a foundation for this collaboration. By uniting around a common cause,  communities forged stronger bonds, laying the groundwork for future violence prevention. 

Looking Ahead: Applying Liberia’s Lessons Elsewhere 

The lessons from Liberia’s health and peacebuilding work can serve as a model for other  conflict-prone areas facing health crises or social unrest. Whether dealing with public health emergencies like COVID-19 or preventing election-related violence, involving local  communities in these efforts is crucial. Liberia’s experience shows us that even in the most  difficult of circumstances, ordinary people can lead extraordinary efforts to build peace and well being.  

In Liberia, the fight against Ebola and the pursuit of peace were deeply interconnected. As health  systems were strengthened, so too were the social bonds that helped to hold communities  together. By viewing health efforts as a bridge to peace, we can see possibilities for healing both  individually and societally. Importantly, by empowering marginalized groups like Liberia’s pen pen riders, we can create pathways to sustainable peace even in the most challenging situations.