Methodology NRC’s assessment of the situation of the Muhamasheen was carried out through a household survey, Key Informant Interviews (KII), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in three governorates in the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG) controlled area of Yemen, namely Aden, Lahj and Abyan governorates. In total, 492 people participated in the assessment. The overall purpose of the assessment was to identify the level of access to legal identity and civil documentation among the Muhamasheen, the challenges faced by them in this regard, and possible solutions to address these challenges. Between 19-25 September 2023, NRC surveyed 385 people (242=63% women) from the Muhamasheen community across the three governorates, including 205 (113=55% women) in Aden, 99 (72= 73% women) in Lahj, and 81 (57= 70% women) in Abyan. The surveys were conducted with 326 heads of household (85%) and 59 single persons (15%). All surveys were carried out in person, and NRC data collectors received training on the data collection tools prior to the assessment. NRC also conducted 13 KIIs in the three governorates, including 6 with community leaders and 7 with staff from different Civil Registry Authorities (CRA) in the targeted governorates. In total, 8 FGDs were conducted in Aden and Lahj governorates, covering 94 people (36= 38% women). Participants in the FGDs were a mixture of the Muhamasheen community members and the host community leaders. 4 Empowering women (Photo: NRC) Detailed Findings 3 Information session (Photo: Martin Clutterbuck/NRC) Detailed Findings Methodology 4.1 Access to a national ID card Survey data indicated that the majority of the Muhamasheen community do not have access to a Yemeni national ID. 78% (299 of 385) respondents said that they did not possess a Yemeni national ID. The majority indicated that the main reason for not having an ID was the high cost, including transportation and ID fees (40%). The lack of information about the process and how to apply for the card was the second most commonly cited reason (29%). Some said they had applied for an ID, but their application was rejected, without a justification, while others said they cannot obtain an ID since they belong to the Muhamasheen community (10%). Some persons answered that they did not need an ID. Whilst men in Yemen often have access to more opportunities than women, including access to civil documentation, the data shows that men and women among the Muhamasheen community suffer an almost equal lack of access to proof of legal identity, with 79% of women surveyed not having access to an ID card against 75% of men. The same group of people (385) were asked if their spouses and children above the age of 16years old had national ID cards.11 The response, however, was different, with 60% (232 individuals) reporting that their spouses did not have an ID, while 80% of them reported that their children above 16 did not have an ID card. The high percentage of juveniles without an ID card suggests a generation of youth without access to education, livelihood opportunities, and healthcare services amongst a community already marginalized and discriminated against. 11 As per the Civil Registration Authority (CRA) Law, children can only apply for an ID once they complete the age of 16.