IOM Deploys Biometric Registration to Aid Displaced Persons in South Sudan

A new report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) illustrates how biometric technology can enhance humanitarian aid delivery for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, South Sudan. Through its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) initiative, IOM completed a biometric registration and verification exercise in May 2023 that documented 6,981 individuals across 1,727 households in the Naivasha IDP Camp, along with 3,055 individuals in 736 households at the Masna Collective Site.

Biometric registration provides precise identity documentation for displaced persons, minimizing duplication and fraud risks in aid distribution systems. This implementation adds to successful deployments in neighboring regions, including UNHCR’s landmark biometric refugee identification program in Uganda. The technology enables humanitarian organizations to maintain verified data for optimal resource allocation while ensuring aid reaches intended recipients.

Data gathered through the biometric system has revealed key insights about displacement patterns and intentions. According to the findings, 58.5 percent of registered individuals plan to return to their original residences within two years. However, significant obstacles remain, with 51.9 percent citing insufficient financial resources and 35 percent noting limited livelihood opportunities as primary barriers to return.

The biometric identification system also supports strategic planning for sustainable solutions. Real-time tracking of displacement trends allows organizations to adapt their responses to changing circumstances. This approach is consistent with recent innovations in humanitarian aid delivery, such as the development of specialized verification tools by researchers working with the Red Cross to enhance aid distribution efficiency.

With respect to South Sudan’s ongoing recovery initiatives, these technological capabilities provide essential tools for population reintegration and stability efforts. The system represents another step forward in humanitarian aid management, following similar successful implementations across East Africa that have demonstrated the value of biometric verification in ensuring aid reaches those most in need.

Sources: ReliefWeb

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December 19, 2024 – by Ji-seo Kim