The estimated budget needed for the project is $1.4 million.
The financial contributions received thus far came from the U.N. Fund for Population Activities, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the public sector capacity building grant.
About $850,000 is yet to be sourced and the Division of Statistics continues to seek financial and technical assistance from other potential donors, including the FSM Congress.
President Emanuel Mori had issued a proclamation on July 31, 2008, declaring April 4, 2010 as FSM Census Day and April 2010 as Census Month.
The 2010 census aims to take an inventory of population and housing.
It will compile benchmark information on the socio-economic characteristics of the population.
Census statistics determine eligibility for grants and funding for public works, education, infrastructure and other projects.
Up-to-date social and economic information enable planners, both from the government and the private sector, to make effective plans and sound decisions, and formulate meaningful policies and appropriate strategies.
The census will cover all households and all usual residents of the FSM, including expatriates.
The census is authorized by Public Law 5-77, otherwise known as the Statistics Act of 1988.
This same Act protects the confidentiality of any data gathered by the Division of Statistics, preventing it from being disclosed to the public in any form.
Mathew Chigiyal, the assistant director for statistics, said the role of the communities and households is important for the successful conduct of the project.
