The new identity management system PRIMES (Population Registration and Identity Management Ecosystem) as well as data migration from proGres v3 to proGres v4 was done at the end of 2020. UNHCR staff, partners and other relevant stakeholders were trained on the new system, which was launched in January 2021 once data migration was completed. It is envisaged that with this new system, services to refugees such as general food distribution procedures will be more efficient, mitigating the risk of fraud and malpractice.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, registration services were suspended in March 2020, and later opened up to allow for continuous registration of newborn babies and registration of new arrivals in Pagak Reception Centre on an exceptional basis. Level 3 (L3) Registration for absentees had not resumed as at year’s end, however very compelling and vulnerable cases were registered to enable individuals’ access vital services.
Individual and group identity documentation continued to be issued to refugees. A Proof of Registration (POR) certificate was issued to the head of each household after L3 comprehensive verification, after registration for newly arrived families and/or when there was an addition of newborn babies to the household. The total number of PORs issued in 2020 was 21,147, of which 18,597 PORs were issued in Gambella and 2,550 in Assosa.