UNHCR’s Field Support in Data Collection Joint UNFPA & UNHCR Workshop Geneva, February 2007

Outline 1.Population Statistics & Surveys 2.Refugee registration 3.IDP Profiling and UNHCR’s expectation on collaboration

Population Statistics and Surveys

Scope of forced displacement - facts and figures (end-2005) Estimated 38 million persons displaced globally –8.7 million refugees (UNHCR) –4.2 million Palestinian refugees in Middle East (UNRWA) –≈ 24 million internally displaced (IDMC) 21 millions persons of concern to UNHCR, end-2005

WHO ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? CONCEPT OF Total Population of Concern to UNHCR (TPOC) 1)Refugees 2)Asylum-seekers 3)Returned refugees 4)Internally displaced (protected/assisted by UNHCR only) 5)Returned IDPs 6)Others of concern to UNHCR (e.g. stateless persons who are not refugees)

Measuring refugee stocks and flows: schematic overview REFUGEE POPULATION Positive decisions (individual) Births Resettlement arrivals Prima facie (group recognition) Naturalization Deaths Cessation Other increases/ decreases Resettlement departures Voluntary repatriation

UNHCR data sources Main data sources –Government statistics –More than 140 UNHCR country operations –NGOs/Implementing partners Basis of data –Registration/census –Surveys –Estimates UNHCR Sources Monthly asylum application data (36 industrialized countries) Quarterly Statistical Report (QSR, mainly developing countries with UNHCR operations 120) Annual Statistical Report (ASR, over 150 countries) Annual Standard and Indicator Report (SIR, Global coverage, National, camps, urban, returnees 2005)

WHERE DOES THE DATA COME FROM? UNHCR SOURCES

HOW DO WE USE OUR STATISTICS? Example of gap assessment score cards Gap

An approach to IDP profiling: Surveys Increasing use of surveys for many purposes, including for estimating numbers and profiling of IDPs Provision of technical guidance on methodologies, sampling design, scope, questionnaire design, data management and analysis Working on generic methodologies & guidelines which could be adapted according to needs and contexts Key topics: –Identification of protection needs –Coping behaviors –MDGs –Provision of global estimates –Gender-related issues

Scope and Definitions –Asylum migration nexus, national vs international –Terminology: Who is a refugee, an IDP? –Time, location, distance, causes Data sources and triangulation –Coverage: Key information are missing –Register updating –Sources for triangulation –Data collection methodologies and tools Data quality –Timeliness in rapidly changing situations –Comparability, scope –Compliance with recommendations (UN, UNECE, UNHCR) Human resources –Skills and training –Uses of data for informed decision making Key challenges

Refugee Registration

The recording, verifying and updating of information on persons of concern to UNHCR with the aim of protecting and documenting them and of implementing durable solutions. What is Registration?

States bear the primary responsibility for registration UNHCR assumes an operational role only if needed Who is responsible for Registration? “States, which have not yet done so, to take all necessary measures to register and document refugees and asylum seekers on their territory as quickly as possible upon their arrival, bearing in mind the resources available, and where appropriate to seek the support and cooperation of UNHCR” (ExCom Conclusion No. 91, 2001)

Handbook for Registration  Access to registration  Process of registration  Data to be gathered & recorded  Monitoring registration activities  Provision of documentation  Verification & identification  Protecting individuals with Special Needs  Focus on women & children Registration Standards

Registration Practices Standard Operating Procedures  Level I, II and III registration  Continuous registration and verification  Registration Center Operations  Field Data Collection  Support RSD, Assistance, Protection and Durable Solutions  Data security and confidentiality  Managing data on women, children and special needs  Working with governments and partners

Registration Levels Standard data sets 3 months* 12 months Immediately Level 3 Registration Additional data Registration data collected and verified Time after arrival on territory of asylum Level 1 data Level 2 data Level 3 data Some current operations Level 1 Level 2 Registration Standards set at each level WFP/UNHCR MOU

 Global Software Application “proGres”  Strategies and tools for document issuance Individual ID cards Individual protection documentation Entitlement documents  Standard forms for data collection Registration form Registration form for unaccompanied children RSD application form Control Sheet Household information form Registration Tools

Sierra Leone Ethiopia Kenya Thailand Nepal UgandaGhana Tanzania Rwanda Malaysia Guinea Jordan Turkey Syria Hong Kong Egypt Lebanon 2004 Implementation site Liberia Sudan ROC Benin Germany Burundi Azerbaijan Chad DRC Eritrea Gabon Nigeria Morocco Iran Pakistan Yemen Uzbekistan Bangladesh Cambodia Namibia Libya Cote d’Ivoire 2005 Implementation site Kazakhstan 2006 Implementation site Malawi Mozambique India Ukraine Global Registration Activities using ‘proGres’ Zimbabwe Russian Federation

Examples Statistical report Map 1 Map 2

IDP Profiling & UNHCR’s Expectation on Collaboration

Strategic Directions  UNHCR to engage in IDP Profiling as part of its functions to lead the protection and CCCM clusters.  IDP Profiling will be undertaken in a collaborative manner  Non-UN stakeholders will be invited to join and to establish advisory capacity (academia, governments, inter-governmental and non- governmental organizations, etc.)  UNHCR to increase its IDP Profiling capacities and invest in staff and tools

Key objectives of Profiling  numbers,  age/ gender breakdown,  Location,  causes for displacement,  patterns of displacement,  protection Concerns  key humanitarian needs,  potential solution for the group (if available) How can we obtain the “profiles”?

Profiling Interventions Registration Manual Survey Desk Reviews Estimations Key informant interview Census Various Data sources Focus group discussion proGres Micro Census Govt. Census

Required Staff Competencies  Demographers & Statisticians  Social Scientists & Survey Specialists  Registration & Liaison Officers  Protection Officers & Social Workers  Information Management Officers  Database & GIS Specialists  Logisticians and other support staff

Nairobi Technical Workshop on IDP Profiling: Findings IOM NRC OCHA WFP UNHCR In October 2006, UNHCR invited its partners to a workshop in Nairobi. The workshop confirmed:  There are no standards, common procedures, tools, etc.  No agency has yet developed the conceptual or operational capacity to undertake large- scale IDP Profiling in multiple theatres  UNHCR has a comparative advantage due to its refugee registration concepts, standards, tools, and experience.

What needs to be done?  Develop strategic and institutional frameworks (political)  Mobilize existing resources, competent staff, necessary resources, and deploy multi-functional teams (operational)  develop policies, standards, methodologies and tools (technical)

Any Questions?