Ethiopia — 8 October 2025 — Somali Regional State on Tuesday launched the Fayda National ID Registration Programme in Qoloji, providing formal identification to more than 65,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) who have long faced challenges in obtaining official documents.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Somali Regional State’s Disaster Risk Management Office (SRS), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and other humanitarian partners. The launch ceremony was presided by Abdifataah Mohamed Abdi, Deputy Minister of the Disaster Risk Management Office (SRS), and was attended by officials from the Regional Revenue Office, the National ID Department, the Faafan Zone administration, and UNHCR.
Qoloji, located approximately 65 kilometres south of Jigjiga, is home to tens of thousands of displaced people who have fled conflict, drought, and other crises. Many residents previously lacked official identification, limiting their access to government services, healthcare, and education.
The Fayda Digital ID Programme, established under Ethiopia’s National ID Law (2023) and the Personal Data Protection Law (2024), provides secure digital identification that can be used to access government and private services, including banking, social protection programmes, and healthcare.
“This programme is particularly important for the displaced communities in Qoloji, enabling them to claim their full rights and fully integrate into the national system,” the Deputy Minister said.
Officials said the programme will help displaced families access essential services for the first time and represents a significant step in Ethiopia’s efforts to improve governance, service delivery, and inclusion for vulnerable populations.