Overview
Population Statistics CODs are the baseline population figures of a country's pre-crisis situation. To effectively allocate resources and efficiently channel assistance to those who need it most, information about the size, location, and demographic profile of the population is fundamental. This requires information about the likely age-/sex-profile of the population in a given geographic area.
Population statistics are required to inform programming in humanitarian response. Specifically, they are used:
- to estimate the potential number of affected people both by OCHA but also by all partners (UN and NGOs) who are responding.
- to plan emergency assistance to pregnant women in areas affected by a crisis.
- as a basis for another of the three core CODs: the Humanitarian Profile COD
- as a reference/resource in the development of needs assessments and in analysis
- as a framework for data collection
- use to gain an understanding of population breakdown (sex and age) to prepare and respond appropriately
Process
The IM network should include representative(s) from UNFPA, if this is not possible, UNFPA should be consulted specifically about the population statistics COD, see.
Joint letter regarding cooperation between UNFPA and OCHA on CODsIdeally, the data source is the government, the specific version from a specific ministry may need to be considered. If data is very out of date, a methodology to provide estimates needs to be developed and agreed to by the IM network. For more information see:
COD-PS Standards and Process