Somalia faces a profound internal displacement crisis, with an estimated 3.2 to 3.8 million people displaced by a combination of conflict, natural disasters, and instability. To address this challenge and achieve durable solutions for affected communities, the need for reliable, standardized, and actionable data has never been more critical.

The "Data for Solutions Toolkit" represents a major step forward in strengthening evidence-based policymaking and monitoring in Somalia. This comprehensive resource provides a practical guide for government authorities and humanitarian partners to harmonize data collection, management, and analysis. Its goal is to ensure that interventions are effective, accountable, and aligned with national strategies like the National Durable Solutions Strategy (NDSS) and the National Solutions Pathways Action Plan (2024–2029).

More than just a technical guide, the toolkit is a strategic instrument to build a national, government-led data system. It will support the Federal Government of Somalia's ambitious commitment to transition 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) out of displacement and towards sustainable futures, ensuring that every decision is backed by robust evidence.

This collaborative effort was made possible through the leadership of the National Center for Rural Development and Durable Solutions (NCRDS) of the Federal Government of Somalia. Technical support and development were provided by JIPS (Joint IDP Profiling Service) on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) , in close coordination with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) . The toolkit was produced within the framework of the joint programme "Asaaska Fikir," financed through the Internal Displacement Solutions Fund (IDSF).
 

Toolkit Components

The Data for Solutions Toolkit is structured around six key components, each designed to address a critical aspect of IDP data management and durable solutions monitoring.

1. Context Analysis Tool
This component provides a framework for understanding the complex and dynamic displacement context in Somalia. It equips users with the tools to analyze the drivers of displacement, the characteristics of affected populations, and the operational environment, ensuring that data collection and interventions are grounded in a sound understanding of the local reality.

2. Global Frameworks and Policies on IDP Data and Statistics
This section situates the toolkit within the global standards for IDP statistics. It aligns the Somali approach with key international frameworks, including the International Recommendations on IDP Statistics (IRIS) and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Framework on Durable Solutions, ensuring coherence and comparability with global reporting, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

3. Outcome Indicator Framework
At the heart of the toolkit is a robust indicator framework designed to monitor progress toward durable solutions. Organized along the six pathways of the National Solutions Pathways Action Plan, this framework provides a set of outcome and population-level indicators to track changes in living conditions, access to basic services, livelihoods, and resilience among displacement-affected communities. It serves as the backbone for systematic monitoring and accountability.

4. Integrating Administrative Sources in Official Statistics
This forward-looking component explores how to leverage existing administrative data—from national ID systems (NIN), health and education Management Information Systems (MIS), and the NCRI IDP registry—to enhance official statistics. Integrating these data sources improves the efficiency of statistical production, strengthens survey design, and fosters interoperability between humanitarian and government systems to build a comprehensive national IDP database.

5. Target Groups: IDP Identification and Categorisation
Properly identifying and categorizing IDPs and other displacement-affected groups is fundamental to effective assistance and policymaking. This section provides a standardized approach to defining target populations, ensuring that data is accurately disaggregated and that interventions are targeted to the right groups in the right way, avoiding duplication and exclusion.

6. Documentation of Methodology Template
To ensure transparency and replicability, this component provides a standardized template for documenting data collection methodologies. This is a crucial step in building trust in the data and allowing for effective review, validation, and comparison of information across different actors and time periods. It is a key element for building a sustainable and credible national data system.