UNHCR working with govt for verification of Rohingyas

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, said on Tuesday it is working jointly with the government of Bangladesh to conduct a verification exercise for the identity management and documentation of Rohingya refugees, reports UNB.

The verification exercise will help consolidate a unified database for the purposes of identity management, documentation, protection, provision of assistance, population statistics and solutions, it said.

The process is expected to take approximately five to six months to complete, UNHCR said.

Using biometric data, including iris scans and fingerprints, as well as photographs to confirm individual identities, all refugees over the age of 12 years will be provided with identity cards.

The credit card-sized plastic ID, containing a number of anti-fraud features, is issued jointly by the Government of Bangladesh and UNHCR.

It will provide protection and access to assistance in Bangladesh.