Humanitarian IDs
Parent: Digital Identity & Credentials
Description
Identity for refugees and displaced populations.
Summary
Portable, durable identity in crises.
Challenges
In crises, stable infrastructure (power, connectivity, government systems) is often absent. Inclusion of the most vulnerable—elderly, disabled, without documents—is hard. Cross-border recognition by host countries and aid agencies is inconsistent; durability of identity across displacement and time is critical.
Opportunities
Self-sovereign or agency-issued portable credentials can persist across borders and organisations. Attestations from trusted humanitarian actors can be verified by others without centralised databases. Pilots (e.g. UNHCR, ICRC) show feasibility in field conditions.
Proof of concepts
- (2024)· Ethereum
EU-wide initiative for verifiable credentials and public services.
- (2023)· Ethereum
Open attestation registry for credentials and claims.
- (2023)· Various
Standards-based verifiable credentials in government and private sector.