United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) and Ethiopia's National ID Program (NIDP) have signed tripartite data sharing agreement.
The tripartite agreement aims at issuing National ID to refugees and asylum seekers in Ethiopia, it was indicated.
The three institutions signed the tripartite data sharing agreement to include refugees and asylum seeker in the national ID program as the program is the first in Africa, Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) Director-General Teyiba Hassen said on the occasion.
The agreement will enable the refugees to get basic services anywhere at any time, she said, adding this clearly shows that Ethiopia treats refugees like its citizens.
“It will enable them secure all types of services at any time and places with the utmost quality and speed just like Ethiopians. The agreement demonstrates Ethiopia’s commitment to the rights of refugees by providing the necessary services.”
Executive Director of Ethiopia's national ID program, Yodahe Zemichael said since Ethiopia is the host nation for nearly one million refugees, this agreement is believed to be crucial and big step to have a proper documentation.
“The issuance of the ID will enable refugees recognized in Ethiopia to receive any kind of services including opening bank account and obtaining driving licenses among other basic services with a view to safeguarding their respect and benefits."
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative in Ethiopia Andrew Mbogori said for his part that "this is a very big generosity" demonstrated by the government of Ethiopia and a real milestone as documentation is protection.
"Refugees need proper documentation for them to be able to do the normal things which we do. So, this is really something big and we hope that we can continue to enhance this direction."
He further stressed refugees have to be registered in order for them to be documented properly.
“We are going to support the government of Ethiopia to manage this activity and we hope that this is also another big milestone in terms of the protection of refugees in Ethiopia.”
The objective of the National ID Program is to realize a robust, forward looking and digital ID system for the nation, it was learned.
Besides facilitating access to services, socio-economic activities and inclusion in the country, national digital ID program is aligned with African Union and UN development targets such as the implementation of African Continental free Trade Area and Sustainable Development Goals.
The project is expected to register 90 million residents by 2025.
The program has so far registered more than 3 million citizens to issue the national ID.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency
