Somalia's 2024 census will help it tackle its perennial issues

Somalia’s government has this week launched the official programme for a population census, signalling a shift to actually understand the size of the country’s demographics by next year.

The international community and especially as partners from the United Nations Reproductive Health Agency (UNFPA) think the Somali Population and Housing Census 2024, as it is officially known, will kick start a journey that will eventually help the country address its perennial problems.

The UNPFA recognise the need to harness the strength of a population by enabling people to live quality lives to the best of their abilities. The census will count everyone in Somalia and help bring the clarity on the core challenges faced by the people where they are and those most affected rather than relying on speculation as well as political rhetoric. Women and girls make up almost half of any population and it is crucial to ensure their voices are heard and needs addressed. The census will help provide important data to identify and address their issues and needs and develop the necessary programmes and strategies to support the most vulnerable members of society. Somalia is also one of the many sub-Saharan African countries struggling with multiple climate crises and a difficult economic situation. As climate change continues to disproportionately affect the country, knowledge of the population and demographics is critical to prevent and mitigate crises as well as for delivering effective and successful humanitarian responses.

There are still many challenges that the census is still facing despite its need and significance. This includes inadequate resources and lack of trust from some communities towards the government and the census exercise as well as security. While significant progress has been made in overcoming these challenges through extensive community mobilisation and sensitisation efforts, the success of the census still depends heavily on securing adequate funding and ongoing support from donors. With Somalia being an economically challenged country, the provision of financial resources is critical to ensure the efficient implementation of this crucial exercise. Somalia is grateful to the donors whose support has been instrumental in the success of the process this far and urged them for their continued support so that efficient, transparent and robust implementation of the census can be ensured.

Somalia's 2024 census will help it tackle its perennial issues

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