It was noted that Ethiopia will be using digital technology in the undertaking of the Fourth Population and Housing Census in accordance with the UN Principles and Recommendations for the 2020 Round of Censuses to assure quality and timeliness of the results
ADDIS ABABA (UNFPA Ethiopia) The Ethiopian Government officially announced, on 31st January, the reference date for the Fourth Population and Housing Census. At an event held at Sheraton Addis, Dr. Fitsum Assefa, Commissioner of the National Planning and Development Commission, said the census reference date will be April 7 this year. She noted that the census that was originally scheduled to take place in 2017 was postponed due to security problems in the country.
The Commissioner indicated that the Secretariat of the National Population Census Commission, the Central Statistical Agency, has completed preparations to undertake the census and called on census commissions at different levels of government to play key leadership roles to ensure the successful implementation of census enumeration. She also urged all stakeholders including CSOs, religious institutions, and the media to contribute their share in raising public awareness about the census.
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Speaking on behalf of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, Bettina Maas, UNFPA Country Representative, appreciated the commitment that the Ethiopian Government has made in supporting the Census by covering around 60 percent of the cost of its undertaking, which she said is unprecedented in the African continent.
The Population and Housing Census is among the priorities of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework that the UN is supporting through the Ethiopian Government, with the lead UN Agency, UNFPA, closely working with the Central Statistical Agency since 2014 in the provision of technical and financial support. “It is gratifying to note that Ethiopia is committed to use digital technology in the undertaking of the Census in accordance with the United Nations Principles and Recommendations for the 2020 Round of Censuses to assure quality and timeliness of the results,” Bettina said.
Secretary of the National Population Census Commission and Director-General of the Central Statistical Agency, Biratu Yigezu, said on his part that a lot of efforts have been exerted to ensure reliability of the results of the Fourth Population and Housing Census of Ethiopia using digital technology. The Director-General underlined the need for continued support of all stakeholders for the success of the census.
The event was attended by members of the Population Census Advisory Council, representatives of federal and regional mass media, and other stakeholders.
Source: UNFPA Ethiopia