SHARJAH, 9th October, 2024 (WAM) -- A panel discussion held on day one of the Regional Data and Community Development Forum in Sharjah, taking place on 9th-10th October at the Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, highlighted the importance of collecting and utilising statistical data for effective decision-making and emergency response.
The Strategies for Data Provision in Conflict and Humanitarian Crises in the Arab World panel featured Ismail Lubad, Statistics and Demography Expert at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA); Marwan Khawaja, Chief of the Demographic and Social Statistics Section at UN ESCWA; and Magued Osman, former Minister of Communications and Information Technology and CEO and Managing Director of Baseera, Egyptian Center for Public Opinion Research. It was moderated by Ahmed Hussain, Senior Statistics Advisor at the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics, Qatar.
Lubad opened the session, stating, "Statistics play a critical role in processing and analysing data, helping decision-makers craft policies that address these challenges while steering local and societal development. As part of the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, accurate and reliable statistical data is essential for achieving the desired development goals."
However, he added, in the Arab world, conflict and humanitarian crises have placed immense pressure on countries to navigate complex socio-economic challenges. Some Arab countries currently grappling with internal crises and conflicts have seen their statistical systems become severely compromised.
Khawaja explained that in the absence of stable central authorities, data collection and processing can fall on independent data centres. These efforts, while critical, are often hampered by internal instability and lack of infrastructure. According to him, one of the most significant hurdles in data provision is the unification of statistical language. Conflicts create silos that prevent a standardised approach to data collection. Additionally, financial challenges and the departure of skilled statisticians from conflict zones increase these issues.
He said, "Ongoing conflicts make consistent and comprehensive data collection nearly impossible in many areas. Despite this, data remains the lifeblood of policymaking, underscoring the importance of continuing these efforts even in the most adverse conditions."
Khawaja gave the example of Gaza, where the destruction of infrastructure has made it difficult for statistical entities to collect data. He also mentioned Syria, where certain areas remain inaccessible, limiting the ability to collect comprehensive data.
"Without population censuses or other critical data sources, these countries are unable to assess their populations accurately. This lack of data hampers social and economic planning. Reliable data on women, children, and vulnerable groups is often lost in the chaos, complicating efforts to offer them protection and support," he said.
Osman provided insights into the role of technology in crisis management. He said, "Technological solutions have begun to offer new ways of addressing data provision in conflict zones. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and satellite data provide alternative methods for gathering critical information, especially in areas where on-the-ground data collection is impossible. Furthermore, cloud-based data systems ensure that data is backed up and accessible even when physical infrastructure is destroyed."
He added that international collaboration is vital in ensuring continuous data provision during crises. Stable countries can support conflict-affected countries by sharing technology, expertise, and infrastructure. In post-conflict scenarios, international organisations play a crucial role in providing indexed data when local data is unavailable. This is essential for long-term recovery and sustainable development.