Reference:
https://www.refworld.org/policy/strategy/unhcr/2024/en/148761
Online Marketplace Project Snapshot
Community Assessment and Data Collection to Identify Those Who Are Stateless or at Risk of Statelessness
Africa
Community Assessment and Data Collection to Identify Those Who Are Stateless or at Risk of Statelessness
Baze University Migration and Trafficked Persons Law Clinic
Less than 6 months
15,000
15,000
- Action 1: Resolve major situations of statelessness
- Action 2: Ensure that no child is born stateless
- Action 3: Remove gender discrimination from nationality laws
- Action 7: Ensure birth registration for the prevention of statelessness
- Action 8: Issue nationality documentation to those with entitlement to it to prevent statelessness
- Action 10: Improve quantitative and qualitative data on stateless populations
- Action 11: Ensure stateless persons can enjoy their rights
In 2024, the Baze University Migration and Trafficked Persons Law Clinic, after trainings from UNHCR Nigeria, participated in campaigns and awareness programs on statelessness. The clinic also joined the Global Alliance to End Stateless and participated in advocacy and raising awareness on this topic. One of the initiatives born from this was the community assessment and data collection to identify those that are at risk of statelessness at the Kuchigoro IDP Camp. For the most part, these people have built lives around minimal jobs and living. Some started families at the camp, and others fled with their families to the camp from the location of displacement. Because of these reasons, they have stood at risk of statelessness, and some were even identified as stateless (mostly children) as there is a lack of proper documentation; others have no documentation at all giving them national identity. They now lack access to basic human rights, including the right to education and proper healthcare, because of the risk of statelessness. This project seeks to contribute to the global data of stateless persons in Nigeria vis-à-vis bringing awareness about the challenges of displacement, especially in the light of statelessness for these vulnerable groups.
With this project, our aim is to provide this group of persons with legal identity and documentation they need to escape the risk of statelessness. We plan to accomplish this by continuing our work on the communities, with an aim to identify undocumented individuals in liaison with the Nigerian Population Commission and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to provide birth certificates for children born in displacement and have no official record of existence; provide men, women and children with National Identification Numbers (NIN), which will enable them access to own bank accounts, apply for jobs, gain access to healthcare and have decent lives. For the children, this project means a verified nationality, protecting them from lifelong statelessness. For the entire community, this means reduced vulnerability, improved social cohesion and the ability and freedom to participate in society. Most importantly, with their legal identities secured, these families can pursue durable solutions, whether they choose to return, pursue domestic integration or resettlement, there is hope that they can build a future.
1. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – Global Alliance Member 2. National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) – Not a Global Alliance Member
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Kuchigoro camp who do not have proper documentation and are at risk of statelessness or are stateless, with particular focus on children born in displacement without birth registration.
Surrounding communities around Baze University who might have lost documents in the course of migration, conflict, or displacement.
15,000 USD
15,000 USD
Why this project needs your support
Members of the Global Alliance to End Statelessness are driving innovative projects around the world, and we invite you to be part of this vital work. This snapshot gives you a brief look at one such initiative that needs your support. By contributing to projects like this, you can help create lasting change, uplift communities, and restore dignity to millions of people. Your involvement is crucial – together, we can turn the tide and build a future where statelessness is a thing of the past.
How to support
To support this initiative, please contact the Global Alliance Secretariat at stalliance@unhcr.org.
Together, we can turn the tide against statelessness and create a world where everyone enjoys their right to a nationality, and can fully contribute to society.
Disclaimer: The listing of snapshots on the Online Marketplace or inclusion in the offline repository, and their pitching to potential donors by the Global Alliance Secretariat, does not represent an endorsement by the Global Alliance, its members, or UNHCR as the Secretariat of the Global Alliance. All due diligence, background checks, and financial or legal accountability considerations are the sole responsibility of the donors concerned and should be conducted in accordance with their own regulations and requirements. The Global Alliance and its Secretariat do not endorse, participate in, or bear any legal or financial responsibility for the funding agreements or their implementation. For clarifications and additional information, please contact the Global Alliance Secretariat at stalliance@unhcr.org