On Sunday, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Libya welcomed the generous donation of €1.5 million euros from the European Union, to undertake the first Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) in Libya.
UNICEF’s MICS is a widely recognized tool utilized by nations to bridge the gaps in data monitoring for key human development indicators. It is especially useful in understanding the status of children and women, providing valuable information on approximately 33 indicators relevant to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This considerable financial aid from the EU will be instrumental in fostering evidence generation, and enhancing the capacity of governmental organizations in data and statistics.
The data gathered will be pivotal for the creation of evidence-based policies, and for the realization of the SDG’s, particularly in safeguarding children’s rights.
Michele Servadei, UNICEF’s representative in Libya, expressed deep gratitude for the EU’s generous support, which he believes “significantly illustrates their commitment to enhancing government institutions, and addressing the urgent needs of children and women.”
He emphasized the importance of the survey in “boosting Libya’s ability to monitor child rights and develop programs targeted at social inclusion. The survey exemplifies the government’s pledge to identify those most in need, and work collaboratively to uphold every child’s rights in Libya.”
Libya’s conflicts have led to a substantial data void, hampering the government’s capacity to produce, analyze, and utilize data in all sectors. The last nationally representative household survey was conducted in 2014, and there is an immediate need to update and procure nationally representative data.
UNICEF, in collaboration with the Bureau of Statistics and Census (BSC), will undertake the MICS survey. The total estimated cost of the survey is around $3 million dollars.
Both UNICEF Libya, and the EU are resolute in their commitment to enhancing evidence-based policy and budgetary decisions, with the aim of promoting and safeguarding child rights and accomplishing the SDG’s.
Jose Sabadell, the EU Ambassador to Libya, expressed pride in the partnership with UNICEF. He reiterated the EU’s commitment to invest in data generation and capacity building, leading to evidence-based decisions, and progress towards the SDG’s, thereby improving the conditions and rights of women and children in Libya.
The MICS survey in Libya is slated to commence between August and October 2023, with preliminary results anticipated in January 2024. The survey will employ the Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) method, covering a variety of subjects including demographic characteristics, health, education, housing, water and sanitation, child and maternal health, nutrition, and reproductive health.
