Frequently Asked Questions on Improved Data Processing Modalities between the Government of Bangladesh and UNHCR

Rohingya refugees who arrived in and after 2017 were initially registered by the Government of Bangladesh, Ministry of Home Affairs. Following the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) handed over the data to UNHCR, as part of steps to establish a unique and trusted identity management system to enable protection and the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Registration has been a joint undertaking of UNHCR and the Government of Bangladesh, with UNHCR also working with the Government of Bangladesh to implement ‘biometric identification’ for ‘new arrivals’ which started in January 2025. The refugees who arrived in the 1990s have also been included in this joint approach.Authorized UNHCR staff and government officials can access specific information depending on their functions. Without this collaboration, UNHCR would not be able to register new births and marriages, issue documents, approve relocation requests, and otherwise facilitate camp administration. This collaboration is essential to facilitate access to essential protection, services, assistance as well as to promote self-reliance for refugees and coordinate humanitarian response.

Under the joint process, UNHCR and the GoB collect information about individual refugee’s date of birth, family composition, names of all family members, place of origin in Myanmar and biometric data which is stored in UNHCR’s Population Registration and Identity Management Ecosystem system (PRIMES) and designated Government of Bangladesh authorities have access to the system.

Under the improved data processing, relevant Government of Bangladesh entities will access the same data sets as processed under the joint registration such as your basic biodata details, photographs and fingerprints. The improved data processing modalities will strengthen the data flow between UNHCR and Government of Bangladesh with a view to ensure data integrity and accuracy, and the efficient use of data processed by both entities. This improved data processing between UNHCR and Government of Bangladesh is essential to provide refugees with robust and trusted identification and documentation, access to assistance and vital services and the protection of their rights, including protection from forced return. Because registration is a joint UNHCR–Government of Bangladesh process and a pre-requisite for the GoB’s protection and assistance, refusing the processing of personal data may lead to deregistration and, as a result, the discontinuation of protection and assistance depending on the circumstances.

The improvements will help keep the registration system accurate and trusted so that people who meet the criteria as Rohingya refugees are registered as such. This will also support the Government in preventing the irregular use of citizenship documents, reducing the risk of incorrect entries on voter rolls, and maintaining overall camp security. Beyond registration, these changes will make identity information more reliable for the delivery of services and assistance, with the overall aim of protecting refugees and supporting greater self-reliance. One practical example is the plan by the GoB to authorize Rohingya refugees to legally subscribe to SIM cards, with additional improvements to follow gradually as systems are rolled out.

Rohingya Refugees do not need to take any extra steps for the data to be covered by these improvements. Only the data already handled jointly by UNHCR, and the Government will be included. Please continue to keep your information up to date especially changes to your family composition and address by informing UNHCR registration staff in the camps. Some benefits, such as legal SIM subscriptions, will be tangible soon, while others may take more time.

Under the improved modality, UNHCR will continue to store and manage your data for joint continuous registration, documentation, and coordinated humanitarian response. Relevant Government entities (including Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) , Election Commission (EC), Department of Immigrations and Passports (DIP) and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) will be able to access your data through a new database developed by the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), to support protection and access to services. Importantly, no new categories of personal data will be shared beyond what is already jointly available and processed today.

UNHCR has assessed the new approach for alignment with international policies and practice, including United Nations standards, UNHCR’s Data Protection and Privacy Framework, and the UNHCR–Government of Bangladesh Memorandum of Understanding on data-sharing. Safeguards to be in place in respect of further data sharing with any third parties the commitment to respect the security and confidentiality vis a vis third parties have been reiterated between UNHCR and the GoB in the framework of the improved data processing. UNHCR and Government of Bangladesh remain committed to respecting the confidentiality of your personal information and your data rights as a data subject.

The improved data processing aims to improve your protection in Bangladesh and is not meant to be used for furthers sharing with Myanmar, unless UNHCR considers conditions to return to Myanmar are conducive and you have taken an informed decision to voluntarily return. UNHCR has received assurances from the Government of Bangladesh of its commitment not to further share data with third parties, including the Government of Myanmar.

You can find additional information on how UNHCR stores and uses your data in the Privacy Notice online Privacy Notice. You may also approach one of the CFM Desks or call the helpline at 16670.