November 22, 2024 (Mogadishu, Somalia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has conducted a consultative Technical Working Group meeting aimed at improving migration and displacement statistics in Somalia. The meeting focused on enhancing understanding of data types, collection systems, and challenges faced by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) while developing strategies to overcome obstacles in data collection and sharing.
The primary goal of the meeting was to harmonise and improve the availability of administrative migration and displacement data among relevant MDAs, thereby facilitating better data sharing and report production.
Speaking on behalf of Madam Fathia Alwan, Director of Health and Social Development, Mr. Charles Ogolla, Head of IGAD Statistics, highlighted the critical role of quality, timely, and relevant data in shaping effective policies.
“Migration data is essential for understanding the factors driving migration, addressing the needs of migrants, and assessing the impact on both host and sending communities,” he stated. Mr. Ogolla also extended his gratitude to dedicated partners, including IOM, UNHCR, AUC/STATAFRIC, GIZ, Statistics Norway, and Statistics Sweden, for their steadfast support and partnership in improving regional migration statistics.
He reiterated IGAD’s commitment to supporting Somalia and all member states in building robust migration data systems, facilitating knowledge sharing, and promoting best practices.
The Technical Working Group consultative meeting brought together participants from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies that are part of the Technical Working Group, as well as other relevant institutions.
The meeting was financially supported by GIZ, which also funded the official launch of the first edition of the Migration Statistics Report 2024 and the consultative Technical Working Group meeting in Somalia.
The consultation concluded successfully with recommendations provided to MDAs, IGAD, and partnerships for further collaboration and capacity building.
In early 2023, the Somali National Bureau of Statistics officially nominated members from various MDAs to represent the newly established Technical Working Group on Migration and Displacement Data. A coordination meeting followed to present and endorse the task force’s terms of reference and to validate two key reports: a desk review and a migration data availability assessment from government institutions.
The Technical Working Group held its second coordination meeting in November 2023, during which one of the key action plans identified was the need for capacity building for its members.
