VIII. DEMOGRAPHIC AND LOCATION DATA population statistics disaggregated by demographic characteristics and location provide a robust evidence base for effective and efficient humanitarian programme implementation and response. T his information is vital to providing protection to, and finding solutions for, refugees and other displaced persons. It is needed for identifying protection gaps, for properly designing and targeting interventions, and for evaluating response. Comprehensive and reliable demographic and location data are needed by everyone who works with displaced communities. Collecting primary data on displaced people, especially during emergencies, has been a major challenge for the humanitarian community. Movements of individuals and communities in a crisis are often rapid and unpredictable, and gathering reliable disaggregated data requires resources that may be urgently required elsewhere. Efforts tend to focus on the immediate delivery of aid and protection, while the gathering of statistical data is prioritized for later phases. Yet there is increased recognition of the value in having sex- and age-disaggregated data from the outset of an emergency. UNHCR and its partners look for new and innovative ways to gather this information as soon as possible, and UNHCR has intensified its efforts to systematically collect data disaggregated by location and demographic characteristics, including in humanitarian emergencies. These data are time-sensitive, and the quicker they are collected and shared, the quicker they can be used both to help those who need assistance the most and to hold relevant parties accountable to their commitments. In general, the quality of demographic data tends to be highest in countries where UNHCR has an operational role, undertakes registration and primary data collection, and has been engaged for a year or more. For some populations – mostly in developing countries – UNHCR has additional demographic and socio-economic information, including date and place of birth, language, occupation, civil status, religion, and education level. In locations where governments are exclusively responsible for data collection, comprehensive disaggregated data on refugees, IDPs, and others of concern often are lacking or unavailable. UNHCR Global Trends 2015 51