The donation is part of the generous financial support DfID provided in support of the Ethiopian Population and Housing Census conducted in 2007.

"The donation made to the Central Statistical Agency today is part of UNFPA's effort at realizing its mandate of supporting countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect," noted Mr. Benoit Kalasa, UNFPA Country Representative.

The inter-censal survey - the first of its kind in the country - will be the second largest sample survey ever carried out by CSA next to the Sample Agricultural Survey in terms of its sample size.  The survey is expected to bridge the data gap by furnishing basic information needed between two consecutive censuses. It is also believed that it will provide necessary information that could be used to evaluate the 2007 Population and Housing Census and to collect data that could be used to revise the population projections in the country.

The vehicles purchased to support the Inter-censal survey will also be utilized for the upcoming Population and Housing Census Cartography as well as subsequent demographic and other sample surveys that will be carried out by CSA.

In addition to these vehicles, UNFPA is in the process of procuring data processing, printing, photocopying and storage equipments and accessories; binding and sewing machines; IT and Networking Equipments and Supplies, and softwares and reference materials worth US$ 2.5 Million with the financial assistance of DfID. Some of these equipments have already been delivered to the Agency this week, including 35 Desktop Computers and 13 Laptops.