The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is a household survey programme developed by UNICEF to assist countries in filling data gaps for monitoring human development in general and the situation of children and women in particular. The Pan Arab Population and Family Health Project(PAPFAM) is a programme conducted to enable national health institutions in the Arab region to obtain a timely and integrated flow of reliable information suitable for formulating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the family health and reproductive health policies and programs in a cost-effective manner. MICS and PAPFAM are capable of producing statistically sound, internationally comparable estimates of social indicators. The current round of MICS/PAPFAM is focused on providing a monitoring tool for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the World Fit for Children (WFFC), as well as for other major international commitments, such as the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS and the Abuja targets for malaria. Survey Objectives The 2006 Somali Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS)/Pan Arab Population and Family Health Project(PAPFAM) has as its primary objectives: To provide up-to-date information for assessing the situation of children and women in Somalia To furnish data needed for monitoring progress toward goals established in the Millennium Declaration, the goals of A World Fit For Children (WFFC), and other internationally agreed upon goals, as a basis for future action; To contribute to the improvement of data and monitoring systems in Somalia and to strengthen technical expertise in the design, implementation, and analysis of such systems. Survey Content Following the MICS global questionnaire templates, the questionnaires were designed in a modular fashion customized to the needs of Somalia. The questionnaires consist of a household questionnaire, a questionnaire for women aged 15-49 and a questionnaire for children under the age of five (to be administered to the mother or caretaker). Survey Implementation The Somalia MICS/PAPFAM was carried out by UNICEF with the support and assistance the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation of the Somali Transitional Federal Government, the Ministry of National Planning and Coordination of Somaliland and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation of Puntland. Technical assistance and training for the survey was provided through a series of regional workshops organised by UNICEF and PAPFAM, covering questionnaire content, sampling and survey implementation; data processing; data quality and data analysis; report writing and dissemination.
