The Gambia bureau of statistic (GBOS) in collaburation with the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (Unicef) on Monday officially  disseminated the findings of the 2005/06 multiple indicator cluster survey (MICS III) at a ceremony held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Senegambia.

Ms Min-Whee Kang, Unicef country representative said that the MICS is an international household survey initiative developed by Unicef to assist countries in filling data gaps for monitoring the situation of children and women.

"The Gambia conducted the first and second rounds of MICS in 1996 and 2000.  The third round was conducted in 2005/06,"  she said.

In launching the report, MICS III 2005/06, Mr Alieu Ngum, chairman, National Planning Commission said that the Gambia government'S concern for the welfare of children and women is well documented in the PRSP and in sectoral policies/programmes including the population, health, nutrition and education policies.

"Among evidence of the Gambia'S commitment to alleviate the plight of women and children in the Gambia is the fact that the 2005/06 MICS results of which are being launched today is the third round of such a study.  He added that the Gambia government's commitment to alleviate the plight of women and children is the increase in government expenditures on poverty reduction over the years," he sid.

Mr Ngum also said that, Unicef being the world's lead agency for children was mandated to mobilize resources and collaborate with national governments towards these goals and targets