This report summarises the main findings, issues and recommendations of the operation research (OR) titled: Assessment of the Effective Deployment, Retention and Performance of the Graduate Village Midwives (VMWs) 2008-2010. The OR was sponsored by UNFPA Khartoum and conducted by two independent consultants, Dr Ahmed Gamal Eldin (Development Planning Specialist) and Dr Nasr Abdalla (Obstetrician). The research covered six states (namely: Gadarif, Kassla, White Nile, North Darfur, South Darfur and West Darfur) in which UNFPA Sudan Office has been involved in supporting the training of Village Midwives (VMWs) under its reproductive health (RH) programme. The focus of the research was on the period between2008 and 2010.The fieldwork for the research was conducted during the period between September and October 2011. The team conducted interviews and discussion in Khartoum and visited all the six states and the eight functioning Midwifery Training Schools (MTSs) in these