Refugees and asylum-seekers in Syria factsheet, January - March 2023

Registration and Identity Management

Registration of people seeking international protection is critical, as it enables the early identification of individuals with specific needs and their referral to available protection responses. Additionally, registration provides comprehensive population data needed for programme planning, including for shelter, food, health, water and sanitation, cash-based interventions and other forms of assistance.
UNHCR Syria aligned its refugee biometrics systems with the global UNHCR Biometrics and Identity Management System (BIMS). UNHCR identification cards provided to refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR constitute proof of legal identity, can prevent arbitrary arrest and refoulement, and facilitate greater freedom of movement. The cards also enable refugees and asylum-seekers to apply for legal residency, register vital events (particularly birth registration) and access basic assistance in Syria.
In Q1 2023, UNHCR registered 153 new individuals and issued 4,737 identification cards. The registration helpline received 2,229 calls in Q1 2023.