Lebanon: Information since 1987 on whether identity documents are issued to Palestinian residents of the Ein-el-Hilweh camp, on whether the year of issue is found on the document, and on whether it is issued individually or by family
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LBN23962.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Lebanon: Information since 1987 on whether identity documents are issued to Palestinian residents of the Ein-el-Hilweh camp, on whether the year of issue is found on the document, and on whether it is issued individually or by family, 1 May 1996, LBN23962.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abd98.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided in a 28 May 1996 telephone interview with an official of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) at the United Nations in New York. The UNRWA official emphasized that the information that follows relates only to UNRWA policy and that he is unaware of any documents that may be issued to Palestinian residents at Ein-el-Hilweh camp by the Lebanese or other authorities.
The UNRWA registration document issued to Palestinian residents of the Ein-el-Hilweh camp is the same document issued to any Palestinian refugees living in the areas in which UNRWA operates, namely Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Gaza and the West Bank. The UNRWA official emphasized that the registration document is neither an identity document nor a travel document. It is simply a registration document, which is issued in order to facilitate eligible Palestinian refugees to access UNRWA's educational, medical and relief services. The official stated that UNRWA, since the beginning of its activities in 1950, has always had some form or another of a family registration document.
The UNRWA registration document is issued to a family. It contains the following information: the name of the head of the family, the names and dates of birth of the immediate family members, the place of birth of the head of the family (which usually was in Palestine) and whether or not the family is eligible for UNRWA's services. The official believes that the document will also have the date it was issued on it. The registration document is computerized, laminated and plastic. It does not contain photographs of the family members.
In order to obtain this UNRWA registration document, one must be a refugee living in an area where UNRWA operates. However, one does not have to live in a refugee camp to obtain it or be eligible for UNRWA services. Registration is carried out in a designated place within each UNRWA area. A social worker collects the necessary information about the family, verifies it and the registration document is issued. The registration document does not have a period of validity. Should the family move out of an UNRWA area and return, the family must reregister. The UNRWA official stated that it is difficult to keep track of births and deaths. When a registration document is reissued to a family upon its return to an UNRWA area, the information on the document is updated.
The UNRWA official stated that refugees are not required to have the UNRWA document on their person at all times, but are required to provide it for school registration and medical services.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), United Nations, New York. 28 May 1996. Telephone interview with an official.
