Providing estimates of humanitarian population figures requires a principled, systematized and collaborative process. This section provides a set of basic working principles for a humanitarian population group and a short, sample Terms of Reference (TOR) for such a group, which should be adapted to the specific context. Establishing a forum to address Humanitarian Population Figures or overseeing the process of estimating humanitarian population figures within key existing IM and coordination fora such as the Information Management Working Group, the Assessment Working Group or a dedicated Population Data Group should be operating based on the following principles:
Clearly stipulate the scope of work for the humanitarian population group, adapting the TOR for the specific context. It should include the process of regularly estimating and updating the humanitarian population figures to enable revising building upon this data and findings on a periodic basis.
Inclusiveness can be ensured by instituting clear and transparent rules of participation in the humanitarian population figures group. Core membership of the group regularly includes:
A Working Group coordinator;
Representative of organizations involved in managing population figures, including UN Agencies, UN missions, NGOs, IOM, and the Red Cross Movement;
Representative of the national Government and its relevant bodies such as National Bureau of Statistics, Census Bureau etc;
Representatives of civil society;
Ensure the participation of technical information management staff from all present clusters as well as other relevant technical actors.
Ensure co-chairmanship of the group where possible to increase buy-in.
Identify lead focal points fro; organizations who are gathering population data figures to facilitate the process of estimating humanitarian population figures.
Ensure liaison and communication with the relevant government counterparts such as National Statistics Office, Census Bureau etc. to agree upon methods and advocate for those, for example explaining the difference between population affected and PIN and sharing best practice.
Ensure regular meetings, as well as regular reporting and communication on outcomes.
Ensure documentation of data and methods.
Formulate clear and transparent messages on how humanitarian population figures were established and record rationale of technical decisions taken.
Explain the uncertainties and limitations of the estimates clearly and responsibly, regardless of the approach taken.
Ensure proactive communication to encourage engagement and inclusion at each stage of the process and to inform the HC and other relevant decision-makers.
Ensure that accompanying documents, including baseline data, are made available to stakeholders wishing to replicate or reproduce the process. This includes national Governments where applicable as well as development partners.
Promote and communicate figures both internally within the HCT and externally in appeals and official documents.
If needed, seek a neutral facilitator of the process to review and update humanitarian population figures
Humanitarian Profile Support Guidance 2016