Meheba (Zambia) : issuance of civil status documents for refugees

SOS Médias Burundi

Meheba, September 6, 2025 — After a two-day delay, the long-awaited issuance of birth certificates and identity cards to refugees and asylum seekers resumed on Thursday in the Meheba camp, Zambia. The activity is taking place in the camp’s urban center, on Route 36, and is causing great relief among the beneficiaries.

These documents, essential for guaranteeing refugees’ fundamental rights, are however only issued once a year, or even every two or three years, according to several camp residents.

“Imagine a three- or four-year-old child without a birth certificate. “In addition to seeing their rights violated, parents struggle to prove their identity at the clinic or school,” laments a Burundian refugee who came to collect a certificate for his two-year-old son.

Administrative delays are a disadvantage

Beneficiaries point to the administrative burden, but also practical obstacles : some refugees, often forced to leave the camp to support their families, miss scheduled appointments.

For their part, administration authorities and the UNHCR explain that they prefer to wait for a sufficient number of applicants before organizing a group session, in order to optimize resources and reach as many beneficiaries as possible at once.

Broader access to social life

The issuance of identity cards is also welcomed by refugees, who describe it as an important step towards independence and recognition.

“We will be able to open bank accounts, obtain SIM cards, travel, look for employment… It’s real recognition!” rejoices an applicant.

These documents are also essential for those beginning resettlement procedures in a third country, or for students wishing to access educational programs nationally or internationally.

Irregularities from the first day

Despite the general enthusiasm, the operation was marked by several irregularities reported from the very first day : nepotism, favoritism, and corruption, particularly on the part of certain security agents responsible for managing the lineup of hundreds of refugees waiting in front of a single office.

Faced with this situation, the refugees are calling for rapid intervention from the administration to restore order and ensure fairness. They are also advocating for the issuance period to be extended to two weeks, so that no one is left behind.

The Meheba camp, located in northwestern Zambia, is home to more than 27,000 refugees, including approximately 3,000 Burundians.