A ground-breaking self-service kiosk giving refugees the autonomy to verify themselves is being piloted by the UN Refugee Agency to streamline processes across the East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region.
The Localised Identification & Self-service Access system rolls out self-service biometric authentication for refugees, reducing administrative burdens, improving data accuracy and promoting greater inclusion.
The kiosks are interoperable with UNHCR’s core registration systems and ensure full compliance with data protection protocols, as no personal data is stored on the devices themselves.
Until now, refugee verification exercises have required significant time and resources, with an average cost of $10 per individual and processing times stretching up to six hours. LISA introduces a cost-effective and efficient alternative; each kiosk, priced at approximately $6,000, enables refugees to verify their presence within minutes, drastically cutting wait times and operational expenses.
UNHCR staff are then able to focus on complex cases and urgent protection matters, optimising resources in an era of constrained funding.
Refugees can confirm their presence in the host country, review personal data, and request appointments to update their information.
“LISA gives refugees more control over their own data and verification process,” said a UNHCR spokesperson. “It’s a significant step toward transparency and empowerment in humanitarian assistance.”
The first round of user testing was recently completed in Kampala, Uganda, chosen for its large refugee population and progressive digital policies. Test participants responded positively to the system’s simplicity and accessibility.
Insights from this pilot are guiding further enhancements before a wider rollout, planned to begin in late 2025. Thanks to its simple infrastructure requirements, just electricity and internet, LISA can be deployed in a wide range of locations, from UNHCR offices to community centres.
“With LISA, we are not only improving efficiency—we are giving forcibly displaced people the tools and autonomy to manage their lives in a digital world,” said the UNHCR representative. “This is how we build a more responsive and dignified system of support.”
