KHARTOUM—UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, has started planning for a comprehensive population census in Sudan – that country’s first in more than 20 years. The census, which will contribute to the country’s development planning after the civil war, will cost around $60 million, according to the United Nations Joint Assessment Mission for Sudan.

The population census is one of the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed last January by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). It is meant to be completed within the first two years of the post-conflict interim period.

“Having data on primary household listings will not only contribute to socio-economic planning and development across Sudan, but enhance the country’s future democratic development,” said Nimal Hettiaratchy, UNFPA Representative in Sudan. The census, he added, “will help sustain peace and contribute to the country’s democratic and economic growth”.

Census preparations by UNFPA include training sessions to increase awareness among policymakers and members of the public on the importance of the census. However, there is an acute shortage of funds to expand the capacities of all relevant institutions in the Sudanese Government and the SPLM, including those at the national, state, and local levels. The funds are required to pay for crucial preparatory and implementation work, such as training for local personnel in cartographic mapping, computer processing and for field operations.

UNFPA will highlight the strategic importance of and challenges facing Sudan’s first census in decades at the Donor Conference for Sudan, which will be held in Oslo from 11 to 12 April. Mr. Hettiaratchy will stress to donors that their support is essential to the success of Sudan’s census, one of the crucial building blocks of the peace agreement.

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UNFPA is the world’s largest multilateral source of population assistance. Since it became operational in 1969, the Fund has provided substantial assistance to developing countries, at their request, to address their population and development needs.

Contact Information:

Omar Gharzeddine
Tel.: +1 (212) 297-5028
Email: gharzeddine@unfpa.org