October 16, 2025 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has concluded the fourth Sub Working Group Meeting on Displacement Statistics for the harmonisation and improvement of production and utilisation of displacement data in the IGAD region, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The overall objective of the three-day work shop is to sustain continuous discussions on strategies for harmonizing refugee, IDP and stateless data and statistics towards enhancing evidence-based policymaking across the IGAD region
Speaking on behalf of Ambassador Mousa Megague Ali, Director of Health and Social development Division, Dr. Victoria Anib, Head of Social Development Unit, IGAD, reflected on the displacement crisis in the region evidenced by over 23 million people forcibly displaced as Aof June 2025, primarily due to the Sudan conflict.
Emphasizing the importance of a consolidated regional monitoring framework, Dr. Victoria highlighted that fostering a shared understanding of the progress made by Member States in reporting against the Results Monitoring Framework Indicators Tool, one of the key instruments under the IGAD Support Platform is critical to advancing collective regional efforts to address forced displacement.
She remarked, “I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to our partners UNHCR and GIZ and for their steadfast technical support, and to the Government of Sweden for its continued financial commitment to this important initiative.”
In his opening remarks, on behalf of the Director General of the Refugee and Returnee Services, Mr. Mohamed Hussien highlighted that the Sub-Working Group provides a vital platform for Member States to share expertise, learn from one another, and address these gaps collaboratively.
Mr Mohamed also highlighted that the Government of Ethiopia and RRS remain deeply committed to working with IGAD, Member States, and partners to enhance the quality and harmonization of displacement statistics. “We believe this Sub-Working Group is a cornerstone for regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and institutional capacity-building,” He pointed out
In his remarks, Mr. Abdalkader Daher Ainana representative of the National Office for Assistance to Refugees and Disaster Victims (ONARS) and IGAD Chair, the Republic of Djibouti, on his part, said that the workshop marks a decisive step towards a better-informed, better-prepared, and more resilient IGAD region in the face of migration dynamics.” The challenges we face are considerable, but our collective will is even more powerful. By consolidating data, we also consolidate our policies. By harmonizing our methods, we strengthen regional solidarity. And by producing reliable information, we give a voice and visibility to millions of people on the move in our region,” He described.
On behalf of GIZ and partners, Mr. Khaled Sirelkhatem stated that GIZ has been working hand in hand with the IGAD Secretariat in organizing the regional technical group through national and regional workshops in which knowledge and experience are exchanged in addition to organizing the write shops for drafting the IGAD Migration Statistics Report.” We appreciate the importance of this specialized sub-group in the context of migration statistics, in which displacement statistics stands out as a critical component, both in size and in nature.” Moreover, he expressed.
The workshop brought together senior experts responsible for displacement data and statistics: from the Member States’ national statistical offices, ministries or agencies responsible for refugees and returnees’ management, UN agencies, development partners, and relevant regional and international organizations.
Subsequently, the member states have finalized and validated the Terms of Reference for the sub-working group and validated the forced displacement chapter for the upcoming 3rd migration and displacement statistics report.
During the discussion, it is reiterated, the sub working group is key in addressing technical gaps, refining statistical methodologies, and aligning regional practices with continental and international frameworks, including the International Recommendations on Refugee Statistics, the International Recommendations on Internally Displaced Persons Statistics, and the International Recommendations on Statelessness Statistics.
It is to be recalled that the Sub-Working Group on Displacement Statistics, established in 2023, in Addis Ababa, under the umbrella of the IGAD Regional Migration and Displacement Technical Working Group.
