Syria, UNICEF sign MoU to launch first major child survey in two decades
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Planning and Statistics Commission of Syria’s transitional government signed on Saturday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) for the period 2025–2026, marking the country’s first survey of its kind since 2006.
Anas Radwan Salim, Director of the Planning and Statistics Commission, described the survey as “a major and long-awaited milestone,” stressing its role in shaping policy decisions, program interventions, and public advocacy on issues affecting women and children.
Meritxell Relaño Arana, UNICEF’s Representative in Syria, highlighted the survey’s significance at a time when the country has faced profound social and economic changes.
She said the results will not only measure progress on SDGs but also inform Syria’s Vision 2030 framework.
Relaño Arana emphasized that “MICS is not just about data, it is about building national systems and capacities,” adding that the process will strengthen the Commission and line ministries with tools and knowledge to better understand children’s realities.
In preparation for the survey, UNICEF and the Commission held a four-day design workshop in July 2025 with participation from Syrian ministries and other UN agencies.
Data collection and analysis are expected to take around 18 months, with final results due by the end of 2026.
The MICS program, launched globally in the mid-1990s, is one of the world’s largest sources of statistical data on children and women. It serves as a key tool for monitoring both national development goals and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).