The Government of Rwanda and the UN Refugee Agency launch the issuance of national refugee identification cards in Kigali
The Government of Rwanda and the UN Refugee Agency launch the issuance of national refugee identification cards in Kigali
The Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees (MIDIMAR), the National Identification Agency (NIDA) and the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE) together with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have launched the delivery process of national refugee identification cards to the verified refugees residing in Rwanda. The launch event was held in Kigali on Thursday 30th August, 2018 at OASIS OF PEACE (MAISON SHALOM) in Kicukiro District.
The issuance of national identification cards comes as results of the joint verification exercise of refugees and asylum seekers residing in Rwanda which was initiated on 29 Janvier and officially launched on 9th February, 2018. The ongoing joint verification exercise aims at verifying the registration of refugees and asylum seekers to enable the preparation of their identity cards, updating information as well as verifying their physical presence in the country through biometric data.
The launch saw out the issuance of 2,761 identity cards (IDs) in Kigali City. The process will go on to enable the delivery of IDs to the refugees living other parts of the country.
The launch event was attended by the Hon Minister of MIDIMAR, Director General (DG) DGIE, DG NIDA and UNHCR Country Representative.
The Minister of Disaster Management and Refugees, DE BONHEUR Jeanne d’Arc emphasizes that the issuance of national refugee identity cards will positively impact refugees’ daily life.
“The issued national refugee identity cards will facilitate the refugees to have access to different public and private services, employability and to move more freely in the country which pave a way for social economic development opportunities,” said the Minister.
“The issuance of identity cards to refugee is fulfilling the commitment made by the Government of Rwanda during the Leaders’ Summit held in New York in 2016,”the Minister added.
During the event, UNHCR Representative to Rwanda, Ahmed BABA FALL commended the will of the Government of Rwanda for its continuous support to the refugees and its effective collaboration with international organizations working in refugee affairs.
He further requested the refugees to effectively use the received identification cards. “We hope it will enable you to have access to extended opportunities that will allow you and your families to grow independently and sustainably enhancing your wellbeing,” said Ahmed BABA FALL.
In 2016, Rwanda has committed during the Leaders' Summit on Refugees convened by the then United States President Obama to ensure that 100% of urban refugees be included into the national health insurance system, to integrate secondary and primary refugee students into the national education system, to possess of a national identity card and to promote the economic inclusion of refugees thanks to the joint Rwanda- UNHCR livelihoods strategy.