Individual documentation

2017

In 2015, the Government of Rwanda distributed 6,168 refugee ID cards in the 5 Congolese camps. In addition, all the 32,912 refugee households in these camps (including Mahama) have been issued with a Proof of Registration (POR) that serves as identity document as well. In 2017 UNHCR should aim at providing funding for the production of 4,450 refugee ID cards, costing around US$ 15,000. These cards will be given to over 16 year olds and to those who have missed previous biometric capture exercises. This will translate into 53 per cent of the eligible population having refugee ID cards. The level of individual documentation increased with the the mass influx of the mid-2015.

Request for convention travel documents (CTD) also increased with the doubling of the refugee population due to the Burundian emergency.
 
In 2010, the Government of Rwanda and UNHCR embarked on the issuance of refugee ID cards to refugees aged 16 years and above. About 15,000 refugee ID cards were produced in 2010 and distributed. In the last quarter of 2014, the National Identity Agency collected biometric information of refugees 16 years and above. As a result of this exercise over 11,000 cards were produced. This exercise covered refugees residing in the two newest camps of Kigeme and Mugombwa that were established after the distribution of the first round of cards in 2010. No new refugee ID cards have yet been issued in these two camps. Refugees residing in the three protracted camps of Nyabiheke, Gihembe and Kiziba will also be issued with refugee ID cards and its expected that by the end of 2015 most of the refugees who are 16 years and older will be in possession of these cards. All households residing in the camps have been provided with a Proof of Registration document attesting to their registration with UNHCR. In 2016 all refugees 16 years and above should also be issued with their own individual proof of registration which should be laminated to ensure durability of this important individual document.