on 27 August 2025 Somalia officially launched the MICS 7 Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey, a major national data-collection initiative, during a high-level event attended by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Planning, the Deputy Minister of Finance, members of Parliament, and the Director of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Representatives from the United Nations and UNICEF Somalia were also present, highlighting the importance of the survey as a key tool for national development and policy planning.
The launch event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organizations and representatives of persons with disabilities through the National Disability Agency (NDA) and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). Their participation underscored the national commitment to ensuring that the survey captures the experiences of all groups in Somalia, including marginalized communities. Inclusivity in data collection was emphasized as essential for evidence-based policymaking.
The MICS 7 survey will reach 12,000 households across the country through comprehensive interviews and questionnaires. This process is expected to generate reliable and high-quality statistics that will strengthen national development planning, guide government policies, and inform donor support and humanitarian interventions. Accurate data will also contribute to monitoring progress toward national and international development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDN’s Chairperson attended the event and held a brief side meeting with the Director of the NBS and members of the technical team responsible for the survey. During the discussion, SDN highlighted the crucial importance of integrating disability inclusion throughout the survey process. This includes ensuring disability-inclusive technical methodologies, hiring trained and diverse data-collection staff, and applying the Washington Group Disability Questions to accurately capture the realities of persons with disabilities in Somalia.
SDN emphasized that access to inclusive and disaggregated data is vital for understanding the needs and challenges faced by persons with disabilities and their families. Such data will enable SDN, government institutions, and partners to design more responsive programs, advocate for improved services, and strengthen national efforts toward disability inclusion. The Network reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the survey’s implementation and ensuring that the voices of persons with disabilities are represented in national statistics.
