Review and analysis of identification and registration systems in protracted and recurrent crises

This report presents findings from a study regarding Management and Information Systems (MIS) used to identify and register target populations in cash transfer and social protection programming. The research was conducted by DAI and Caribou Digital, and commissioned through DFID’s BASIC programme.

The study identified a number of risks, opportunities and trends linked to these MIS systems, including:
1. The potential to leverage shared data for increased coordination
2. The consolidation of larger systems
3. The unchallenged assumptions regarding links between humanitarian and longer-term government-led systems
4. The poor understanding by many humanitarian and SP practitioners of the uses and consequences of such technology and data processes
5. The opportunity to share and apply experiences and lessons across contexts
6. The inevitability of data leaks and possible consequences for target populations

It offers a number of recommendations to governments, donors, practitioners and coordination stakeholders based on these findings which we hope will generate productive discussions.