The 2000 Lao PDR Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is a household survey programme conducted by the National Institute of Public Health (NIOPH), Ministry of Health and the National Statistical Center (NSC) under the State Planning Committee. The survey was mainly financial and technical supported by UNICEF Laos Office. In addition, it was also supported by the MOH, WHO, WFP, Lao-EU Malaria Program, GTZ, and JICA. The survey provides valuable information on the situation of children and women in Lao PDR, and was based, in large part, on the needs to monitor progress towards goals and targets emanating from recent international agreements: the Millennium Declaration, and the Plan of Action of A World Fit For Children. Both of these commitments build upon promises made by the international community at the 1990 World Summit for Children. The 2000 Lao MICS has the folowing primary objectives: · To provide up-to-date information for assessing the situation of children and women in the Lao PDR at the end of the decade and for looking forward to the next decade; · To furnish data needed for monitoring progress toward goals established at the World Summit for Children and as a basis for future action; · To contribute to the improvement of data and monitoring systems in the Lao PDR and to strengthen technical expertise in the design, implementation, and analysis of such systems. The Lao PDR MICS is a nationally representative sample survey conducted between March and April 2000. At the national level a total of 6,600 households were selected, 6,498 were found to be occupied. A two-stage random sampling approach was used for the selection of the survey sample.
