UNHCR, APRIL 2023 REFUGEES FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION had lost their refugee IDs and were unable to replace them. In focus groups, those with lost or expired IDs claimed that they were unable to obtain replacements in the settlements because the processes for renewal or replacement were difficult to access. These refugees indicated that they rely on their refugee attestation documents as alternative IDs – which are generally accepted as identity documents, including for registration at health facilities and schools. Refugees stated that lack of identity documents constrained freedom of movement to some extent, as well as access to financial services. Birth registration for adult refugees and their children Overall, only 10 percent of the adult long-term refugees surveyed for this report had a birth certificate, and only 8 percent of those born in the country of origin. Those registered refugees born in the country of asylum were more likely to have a birth certificate – 28 percent of those born in Uganda (out of 72 people in total in this category); 10 percent in Rwanda (out of 34 people); and in DRC, only 6 percent (out of 137 people). However, those adult refugees interviewed who themselves had children born in the country of asylum reported much higher rates of birth registration for their children, indicating an improvement in access over time. Children born in country of asylum with birth certificates (%) Rwanda 89.6 Uganda 46.6 All countries DRC 41.4 22.8 Overall, 41 percent of children born to refugees were reported to hold a birth certificate , with the figure similar whether resident in a rural or urban area. In DRC, 23 percent of children born to refugees in that country held a birth certificate; 47 percent of children born in Uganda; and 90 percent of those in Rwanda.78 Although a majority did not report significant difficulties as a result of a lack of a birth certificate for the child, 25 percent of respondents mentioned challenges accessing services. In general, most parents were not legally married at the time of their children’s birth – the highest percentage was in Rwanda, where 45 percent reported that they were in a legally registered marriage at the time of the child’s birth. The existence of a legal marriage or holding of a currently valid refugee ID did not make a significant difference to the rates of birth registration in any country. 78 In Rwanda, UNHCR has also been working with NIDA since 2021 to issue or reissue birth certificates to all refugees born in the country, including those born many years ago. According to information received from the Rwandan government in comments on this report, by June 2023, 91% of refugees born in Rwanda had a birth certificate, irrespective of age; while 94.3% of the births of children born in Rwanda aged 0 -17 had been registered according to the 2022 census. 23