Use of GIS and Remote Sensing to Build a Sampling Frame for Household Surveys in Somalia

Josyline Gikunda, UNFPA-Somalia
Umikaltuma Ibrahim, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Somalia
Amina Said, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) - Somalia
Mariam Alwi, Head of Population and Development Dept
Richard N'getich, Statistical Specialist
Felix Mulama, Demographic Specialist
Said Abdilahi, Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development

Somalis have endured a long spell of absence of comprehensive household data. Before Population Estimation Survey (PESS) in 2014, the last available information was from a census conducted in 1975, which published limited results; and the findings from another population census conducted from 1985 to 1986 that were not published officially. PESS sampling frame had numerous limitations hence the need to build a new sampling frame to be used in the subsequent household surveys. Geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) can be exploited to build an up-to-date sampling frame. They are particularly useful when an area is inaccessible due to security concerns which is the case in Somalia. The main source of data in this study is high resolution satellite imageries; World View, IKONOS and Geo-eye. The study will demonstrate how GIS and remote sensing can be used to build a sampling frame particularly for inaccessible areas.