IDs matter… more so, in times of need

Articles
Written By John Fieldsend
Times of need

Imagine a displaced family which doesn’t hold identifying documents or have lost their documents in the chaos of fleeing their home, amidst falling bombs or a natural disaster.

Without documents to prove their identity, this already terrifying situation becomes exponentially worse. According to a United National High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report, as of June 19, 2018, a record 68.5 million people are displaced worldwide.

An officially-recognised form of ID plays a critical role in enabling an individual exercise rights such as voting, as well as gaining access to essential social and economic services such as education, and healthcare.

Imagine trying to apply to university, open a bank account, apply for a loan, or prove your eligibility for health insurance, without an ID; quality of life and opportunities become severely restricted.

Our latest paper explores how technology can facilitate identity management in times of need. Read more here.