Afghan Refugees Smart ID Cards

Pakistan launched a drive on Thursday to issue smart identity cards to some 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, in what will be a vast national campaign to verify data and improve access to critical services.

The last large-scale verification of refugees in the country was undertaken 10 years ago.

The exercise will boost Pakistan’s efforts, with UNHCR’s support, to enhance protection for refugees. Officially known as the documentation renewal and information verification exercise (DRIVE), the campaign will continue for at least six months, renewing and updating information on Afghan refugees who currently hold Proof of Registration (PoR) cards.

Registered refugees will be issued new smartcards with the capacity to hold biometric data. These cards, which will be valid for two years, will also be technologically compatible with systems used in Pakistan to authenticate the identities of nationals to access services.

Six hundred staff – a combination of government and UNHCR – will be working at some 35 sites around the country, and using mobile registration vehicles, to support refugees throughout the process, expected to take at least six months. Both male and female staff will be on hand to assist.

Measures are in place at all DRIVE sites to mitigate COVID-19 risks through enhanced hygiene, physical distancing, and the scheduling of set numbers of appointments each day.

More detailed information about Afghan refugees’ educational and professional backgrounds will allow for better tailored refugee assistance in Pakistan as well as enhanced support for those who may in the future return voluntarily to Afghanistan.

DRIVE is part of a wider effort to assist displaced Afghans, through the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR).

UNHCR is seeking US$7 million in 2021 to fund information campaigns about the new ID cards, call centre support, the DRIVE verification sites, as well as software development, smartcard and ICT equipment and staff training.

UNHCR

Armenian Gampr Dog Breed

The ancient guardian breed known as the Armenian Gampr are the natives of the Armenian Highlands.They are protected from harsh weather by their thick double coats.

Read More

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

A security system called security information and event management (SIEM) helps businesses and organisations in detecting and fixing any security risks and vulnerabilities before they have an opportunity to interfere with business operations.

Read More

No Vigils: Hong Kong’s Victoria Park Silent on Tiananmen Crackdown Anniversary

Hong Kong’s Victoria Park is now much quieter on the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, and residents told Radio Free Asia that they find it jarring.

Read More

UN General Assembly Holds Election of Non-permanent Members of Security Council

The delegation of Kyrgyzstan celebrates being elected as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027-2028 during the 86th plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly.

Read More

In Maryland State Park,Horse That Had Fallen Down Bridge Rescued

Over the weekend, a horse that had fallen through a pedestrian bridge in Patuxent River State Park was rescued.

Read More

Japanese Bobtail Cat Breed

The Japanese Bobtail is a medium-sized cat that comes in both shorthair and longhair breeds.Their coat colors are white, black, chocolate, cream, crimson, lilac, and blue; their coat patterns are solid, bicolor, tricolor, and tabby.

Read More

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 

An Internet security protocol called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encrypts data to guarantee secure network communication between devices.

Read More

Exclusive: Tiananmen Victims’ Families Banned from Visiting Graves on Anniversary

Days before the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, several relatives of victims of the crackdown learned they would be forbidden this year from visiting their graves.

Read More

• Armenian Gampr Dog Breed
• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
• No Vigils: Hong Kong’s Victoria Park Silent on Tiananmen Crackdown Anniversary
• UN General Assembly Holds Election of Non-permanent Members of Security Council
• In Maryland State Park,Horse That Had Fallen Down Bridge Rescued