Ethiopia issues thousands of digital IDs to refugees

from ADANE BIKILA in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ethiopia Bureau
ADDIS ABABA, (CAJ News) – ETHIOPIA has issued a total of 6 750 refuges with digital identity cards (IDs) since the rollout of the exercise in late 2023.

This is through a partnership featuring the National ID Programme (NIDP), Refugee and Returnee Services (RRS) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Donors, most prominently, the Mastercard Foundation, are financing the project.

Following its successful roll-out in the capital, Addis Ababa, the exercise has extended to refugees in Alemwach in the northern Amhara region and Tsore in the northwestern state of Benishangul-Gumuz.

“These IDs will facilitate freedom of movement and enhance refugees’ access to essential services, thereby fostering their inclusion in society,” said Kristin Halvorsen, UNICEF local External Engagement Coordinator.

A unique 12-digit identification number, known as “Fayda”, is printed on the ID cards using biometric technology.

Despite limited resources and growing needs, Ethiopia is working to integrate refugees into its national systems, including ID registration, education and job opportunities.

Ethiopia, the East African country that is the second most populous nation in the continent with 129,8 million people, and the region’s largest economy, hosts over 823 000 refugees and asylum seekers.

These are predominantly from South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea.

A majority live in 24 refugee camps established across five regional states.

Over 70 000 others also reside in the capital Addis Ababa as urban refugees.

Ethiopia also has 4,2 million people internally displaced because of localized conflicts in the north.

Conflicts have also spread to the west, including Amhara and Gambella regions.

– CAJ News