The project aims to conduct a baseline survey and establish benchmarks for project evaluation for selected key maternal newborn and child health (MNCH) indicators of the project “Optimizing care for newborns and children in five intervention zones of Asossa, Kamashi and Metekel in Benishangul-Gumuz and administrative zone one and two in Afar.” This assignment is presently identifying gaps and challenges on essential MNCH services with respect to availability, quality, and utilisation at PHCUs, hospitals and communities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic for the development of an adjustment plan including innovative approaches to deal with these barriers, etc.