Making Sure Every Tanzanian Counts

DAR ES SALAAM—UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and the United Kingdom Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), today signed a 5-million-pound agreement to help the 2012 Population and Housing Census in Tanzania.

“I do feel particularly privileged to be signing the Tanzania 2012 Population and Housing Census UK-UNFPA Contribution Arrangement,” said Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, UNFPA’s Representative in Tanzania. “On behalf of UNFPA and within the context of the UN system Delivering as One in Tanzania, I wish to register our profound appreciation to the United Kingdom Government through DFID for its continued support to Tanzania’s development efforts, and more specifically, for the support being extended for the 2012 Population and Housing Census Initiative.”

Further, the Head of DFID in Tanzania, Darren Welch, emphasized that a good-quality census in 2012 will provide the Government and development partners with the current, reliable and accurate data on the size, distribution and socioeconomic conditions of the population, which are necessary for informed policy-making, efficient planning and delivery of public services.

“We are grateful to UNFPA for agreeing to manage DFID’s contribution,” said Mr. Welch. “UNFPA are the international lead on census, they have been working closely with NBS already on the planning of 2012, and have brought in significant expertise. We are sure that they will continue to play a strong role as the lead development partner until the end of this initiative, and we hope that our finances assist with that.”

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Albina Chuwa, the Director-General of NBS expressed her Government’s appreciation for the support. “The next census will not only provide accurate information on population, but also the collected data and information will facilitate monitoring and evaluation of ongoing national and international development frameworks,” she emphasized.

The last census in Tanzania was held in 2002 when the population was 34.4 million.

 

Contact information:

Sawiche Wamunza
UNFPA Communications Analyst
Tel.: 0767919729
Email:  wamunza@unfpa.org