Generation of socio-demographic data for evidence-based programming in South-Central Somalia
Team: Amy Bonnie, Aubrey Steingraber, Ortis Yankey, Fabia LeMoignan, Professor Andy Tatem.
Funding: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)
Duration: November 2024 – October 2025
In Somalia, the last successful census was conducted in 1975, with limited results published. The subsequent population census, carried out between 1985 and 1986, was never made public (UNFPA, 2014). On May 2, 2023, the Somali Government initiated the process for the Somali Population and Housing Census 2024 (UNFPA, 2023). This upcoming census will encompass all regions of the country, including refugees and internally displaced people.
Data on population and digital borders, such as census enumeration areas and local boundaries from previous censuses, are typically used to prepare for an upcoming census. However, in Somalia, these data and boundaries are either non-existent or outdated. If pre-census mapping relies solely on traditional methods, the planning for the next census in Somalia may encounter significant challenges. These challenges could include a lack of resources, limited time to complete the census mapping, and the country’s inaccessibility in some areas due to security and infrastructure issues.
This project will allow WorldPop to support pre-enumeration work in Somalia and subsequently use the data collected by the Somali National Bureau of Statistics (SNBS) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) country office to model polio target populations and automate the creation of pre-enumeration area and national sampling frame in the selected five districts (1.Dhusamarreeb District – Galmudug State, 2. Baidoa Town – Southwest State, 3. Kaxda District – Benadir Region, 4. Belet Weyne District – Hirshabelle State, and 5. Kismayo District – Jubaland State).
The work will be conducted in full coordination with the Somali National Bureau of Statistics (SNBS), UNFPA, UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) and other organisations. The project is funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In addition to the immediate value to the polio program, this work will support the preparations for the planned census in Somalia, contributing to the improving baseline of geospatial demographic data for the country.
Outcomes of the project activities planned will include:
- Expand knowledge of geospatial population modelling within SNBS, leading to the application of this knowledge by the SNBS technical teams to support the polio project and upcoming census.
- Ensure relevance and uptake of geospatial modelling methods and techniques by SNBS through co-development of these methods with SNBS technical teams.
- Increase the SNBS and other in-country partners’ abilities to use a variety of geospatial tools and techniques by providing necessary tailored workshops and training on using GIS tools and methods. These capacity strengthening activities will facilitate more effective delivery by the statical teams within government offices of the upcoming national surveys and census work.
- Design and finalize a strategy to develop a digitized national sampling frame and geospatial population estimates for the entire country to support future data collection, census and other policy making decision.
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