Consultants" report on evaluation of the implementation of the "Sahel demographic data collection and analysis project"

Special evaluation covers the period 8/80-10/82 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with A.I.D., INSAH, and host country personnel. Despite delays due to computer difficulties and problems within collaborating institutions, the project has achieved most of its targets. The Socioeconomic and Demographic Unit (USED) has developed into a position of leadership within INSAH, established a network of cooperative relationships with institutions in and out of the Sahel, and set up an effective administrative and financial management system. USED has: initiated subprojects to analyze existing census/survey data in Senegal, Upper Volta, Mali, Gambia, Niger, Mauritania, and Cape Verde (although not in Chad); begun infant mortality studies in Senegal, Upper Volta, and Mali (developing valuable computerized data input procedures in the process) and 1 of 3 planned long-term development impact studies (on nomadic pastoralism in Senegal); earmarked funds for a health statistics project in Cape Verde; and undertaken a pilot migration study in Bamako, Mali, and an origin-destination migration study (i.e., from Senegal to Paris). As a result of USED training efforts: 12 statistical personnel from 6 Sahelian countries have completed the first year of a 3-year statistics course in Senegal; 2 Gambians are attending a 2-year statistics course in Nigeria, with a third attending a 3-year program; and 4 Malian and Senegalese students are set to begin U.S. graduate training. In addition, 2 conferences and 1 (of a targeted 6) national population and development seminars have been conducted, the latter was held in Niger for 30 participants. Inter-Sahelian assistance has included placing a Chadian demographer in Mauritania and a Malian in Niger. As the demographic holdings in INSAH"s documentation center are meager and USED"s data processing capabilities inadequate, it is recommended that these be upgraded. Also, the project should be extended for 2 years and USED"s focus shifted from grant-making to mainly providing regional TA.