The 2000 Sudan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS2) is a nationally representative survey of households, women and children. The primary objectives of the 2000 Sudan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey were: To provide up-to-date information for assessing the situation of children and women in Sudan 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; To contribute to the improvement of data and monitoring systems in Sudan and to strengthen technical expertise in the design, implementation, and analysis of such systems. In Sudan, a major joint effort was put into the development of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) for the end decade review and as a tool for monitoring the situation of children and women during the 2000. The survey results have kept the promise of promoting and monitoring progress towards achievement of the end decade goals. Three extra modules were added to the main questionnaire to cover new issues: wealth index for poverty analysis, children in need of special protection measures, and female genital mutilation. Data were for the first time disaggregated not only by gender and age groups but also by state thus highlighting geographical disparities as well. The survey was carried out successfully in partnership with the Government of Sudan, UNICEF and the World Bank. The co-ordination between the different line ministries, government institutions, UN agencies, Universities and NGOs was a key factor and a prime mover for producing good quality work. The leading role of the technical and steering committees has to be acknowledged. The spirit of teamwork fostered and led by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Central Bureau of Statistics during the course of implementation is commendable.
