Paper details

Paper authors	Aaron Martin
In panel on	Rethinking Cash Assistance within Humanitarian Response
Paper presenter(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online

Abstract

Humanitarian organizations like the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) argue that a lack of mobile connectivity can constrain the capacity of refugees to organize and empower themselves, leading to further exclusion. Such agencies are actively working to connect refugees through different interventions (availability, affordability, and usability).

However, certain identity-related legal and regulatory barriers are frustrating the goals of refugee connectivity in many host countries. Legal mandates requiring the registration of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards against recognized forms of identity documentation mean that many refugees are unable to acquire SIM cards in their own name and are often forced to obtain SIMs on the black market. Similarly, government policies for the deactivation of unregistered mobile devices via national International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) whitelists can exclude refugees when their devices cannot register on an operator’s network. And "Know Your Customer" (KYC) and "Customer Due Diligence” (CDD) requirements meant to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing are proving to be stumbling blocks for the use of mobile money services for cash transfers to refugees, because refugees often lack sufficient identity documentation.

This presentation will review the state of SIM registration, IMEI whitelisting, and KYC/CDD rules for mobile money across a number of refugee-hosting contexts, while exploring the implications for refugee connectivity.

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