Migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons and stateless persons in civil registration and vital statistic systems in Africa

Published: 1/Dec/2017
Source: Africa Programme on Accelerated Improvement of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (APAI-CRVS)

AUC/CRMC4/2017/5

Fourth Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration: Experts meeting

Nouakchott, 4-8 December 2017

Introduction

1.In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the value of civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems worldwide. Establishing or strengthening such a system has become a priority in an increasing number of African countries in which it may be non-existent or not effective. Concurrently, support for countries in improving the efficiency and completeness of the systems have surged in the international community and among development partners, notably at the regional level.

2. Notwithstanding the clear benefits of CRVS, including to populations affected by forced displacement and those that are at the risk of statelessness, more than 100 developing countries around the world do not having well-functioning CRVS systems. Approximately 40 million births are not registered and 40 million deaths globally (one third and two thirds of the world’s annual totals, respectively) are either not registered or incorrectly certified.

3.During conflicts and natural disasters, which are major causes of forced displacement, national and local registration systems are often destroyed or rendered useless. During displacement, civilians may also move far from areas where these systems are available. Among the challenges faced in the implementation of CRVS programmes in Africa is accessibility of civil registration services, including accessibility to remote, hard-to-reach and nomadic populations. Emergencies and displacement also create major challenges for CRVS systems. The displaced, however, are among the groups that are most in need of the protective environment that CRVS systems can help to create.

4.The present issue paper will focus on the effect that population movements have on the implementation of CRVS activities at the national level. In addition, how CRVS enhances access to services of populations affected by forced displacement and those that are at risk of statelessness will be examined.

Download:

English: http://apai-crvs.org/sites/default/files/public/EN-CRVS%20AND%20STATELESSNESS-CRMS5.pdf

French: http://apai-crvs.org/sites/default/files/public/CRVS%20AND%20STATELESSNESS%20FR.pdf

Themes: Birth Registration, Nationality and Refugees, Statelessness
Regions: Pan Africa
Year: 2017