Refugee Registration Package
This package consists of three elements: a Practical Guide for Field Staff, a Registration Kit, and computer software.
The Guide covers UNHCR's registration strategy, and provides practical ideas and tips to staff undertaking refugee registration exercises. In its 110 pages, the Guide describes registration strategies, explains the phases of registration and explores the various registration scenarios. In doing so, it deals with such activities as the initial fixing of a population, identifying vulnerable groups, crowd control, equipment required, estimating populations, protecting data and verification. Maps of typical reception and registration areas are included as are examples of tokens, cards and forms. The Guidelines were field tested in 1993 and the first document published and distributed in May 1994.
The Registration Kit is designed for 30,000 refugees (10,000 families), and includes an appropriate supply of wristbands, fixing tokens, temporary cards, registration cards, control sheets/passenger manifests, registration forms, Guidelines, code sheets, hole punches for cards, UNHCR caps and marker pens. The Kit is valued at approximately US$ 11,000.
In conjunction with the standard UNHCR registration form, the Field Based Registration System (FBARS) has been developed and field-tested. Introduction to the software is supported through, inter alia, regional training activities. The software, specifically designed to handle large caseloads, is fully supported by UNHCR.
How to request
The Food and Statistical Unit of PCS at Headquarters manages the stocks of Guidelines and Kits. All requests should be made directly to PCS/FSU. The Software may be requested by contacting PCS or ITTS. Except in emergency situations, requests should be made well in advance stipulating the estimated number of persons to be registered. Budgetary allocation will need to be made for the supplies requested. Additional supplies required which are not in the kits, such as files, megaphones, arm bands, UNHCR stamps etc. should be budgeted for and requested separately by the Desk to BSU.
Handbook for Emergencies
The Handbook For Emergencies was first published in December 1982 and is available in English, French, Spanish and Russian. The Handbook is intended as a managers' guide to setting up emergency operations for large-scale influxes and provides advice in a non-technical manner on how to tackle various aspects of emergency response. Managers would need to seek further advise for more technical information.
The Handbook, which is in a convenient A5 format with 400 pages of text and diagrams, will be useful, not only for UNHCR staff, but also for government officials and NGO staff.
The chapter headings are as follows:
1. Aims and principles of response
2. Protection
3. Needs assessment and immediate response
4. Implementing arrangements and personnel
5. Supplies and logistics
6. Site selection, planning and shelter
7. Health
8. Food and nutrition
9. Water
10. Sanitation and environmental services
11. Social services and education
12. Field level management
How to request
In principle an adequate supply of the Handbook is available at every UNHCR field location for the use of UNHCR staff members. It is also available on the UNHCR RefWorld/RefMonde CD-ROM.
The Handbook can be provided to NGOs and local authorities upon request. The sum of $15 per copy is charged when more than 10 copies are required. When requesting copies the name of the recipient organization and the intended use of the Handbooks should be specified.
Requests should be made directly to EPRS stating the language required.
