In 2017, the United Nations Statistical Commission adopted an indicator framework of 231 unique indicators to monitor the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Similarly the World Bank tracks 1,400 indicators on development and UNICEF over 680 on women and children. But what about the visibility of refugees, stateless, and other people affected by forced displacement?
IFC and UNHCR are working to address persistent barriers to access to finance, a universal right and key factor for enabling self-employment, integration and self-reliance for refugees and migrants.
Sampling hard-to-reach populations has been a challenge for surveys for a long time. In the context of forced displacement, out-of-camp refugees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are particularly difficult to include in a sampling frame due to higher mobility compared to populations who reside in camps. UNHCR used Computer-Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI)-Assisted Telephone Interviews to collect household-level data of refugees and asylum-seekers.
UNHCR enters 2023 with the General Policy on Personal Data and Privacy (GDPP) issued by the High Commissioner. The new policy establishes an updated and unified data protection and privacy framework applicable to the collection, use and sharing of personal data of all individuals by UNHCR, fostering trust among people we serve, staff, partners, and donors.
Data in humanitarian action can provide accurate and up-to-date information on the location, size, demographics and needs of populations affected by crises. This information is used to develop and implement targeted interventions, such as the provision of water, sanitation, shelter, and other critical emergency assistance to those who need it most.
In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, personal data protection has become a critical issue. With the exponential growth of big data, large amounts of personal information are being collected, stored, and processed, making privacy a major concern for individuals, organizations, and governments alike. To safeguard personal data, it is vital to adopt Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs), which are a range of innovative technical solutions designed to enhance privacy and protect personal data. These technologies use encryption and other methods to secure personal information and prevent unauthorized access. As technology continues to advance, so does the potential for privacy technologies to protect personal data in a variety of ways.
Inclusion of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in regularly collected national statistics provides the foundation for inclusion in services, policies, and development planning and help ensure that no one is left behind.