Verification of the personal data of foreigners under international protection and temporary protection

Updating and completing the information of Syrians under Temporary Protection registered in DGMM's database system for foreigners, including biometric data.
Data & research

Verification of the personal data of foreigners under international protection and temporary protection

Updating and completing the information of Syrians under Temporary Protection registered in DGMM's database system for foreigners, including biometric data.

The project in brief

Implemented by

Directorate General of Migration Management, Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Turkey

Country

Turkey

Duration

 

  • “Verification of Personal Data of Foreigners within the Scope of Temporary Protection in Turkey” Project: January 2017 - December 2018 
  • “Support to Provincial Directorates of Migration Management” Project: January 2019 - December 2019 
  • “Support to Provincial Directorates of Migration Management Phase II” Project: January 2020 - Ongoing 

Description

According to the Verification Project, The Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Turkey, with the support of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), carried out a verification for& Syrians residing in Turkey under temporary protection and updated and completed the information taken during their initial registration. In addition, new and secure identification cards were issued to Syrians whose identification information had been updated in the system. 

After finalizing the Verification Project, Support the PDMMs Project was conducted and second phase of the project continues its activities and actions. According to the Support the PDMM and Support the PDMM Phase II, adequately recording and updating the data of foreigners within the scope of International Protection and Temporary Protection, special attention on recording and referral of persons with special needs and vulnerabilities. 

Project aims

The goal of the verification was to update and complete the information of Syrians under Temporary Protection registered in GöçNet (DGMM’s database system for foreigners), including biometric data. 

This is in order to use accurate data in public planning. The aim being to develop efficient and effective planning and service delivery in line with the available data. 

Data verification also helps to identify persons with specific needs and vulnerabilities as well as refer them to public institutions and organizations for assistance. 

The updated data registered within the scope of the verification project will play a key role in designing evidence-based programmes for the assistances targeting Syrians under Temporary Protection, as well as identifying the PWSN/V and assisting those with PWSN/V. The updated data will also enable those government institutions who provide services to Syrians under TP in designing a road map for their services, thus having a positive impact on their daily and professional lives of Syrians. 

The overall objective of Support the PDMMs Project and Phase II is to support the PDMMs’ procedures pertaining to foreigners within the scope of International Protection and Temporary Protection of registration, verification, updating and maintaining their records and data, and supporting identification of persons with special needs (PwSN). 

Identifying persons with special needs on a continuous basis and ensuring their referral and prioritization in the process through expanded number of protection desks supported under these projects.  

Reducing the workload of PDMM staff to allow for more time allocated to their areas of expertise  

Main activities of the Good Practice

Verification Project:

 

  • Verifying records of Syrians and other foreigners under international protection 
  • Updating address and contact information and identifying family ties where applicable. 
  • Capturing detailed information about occupational skills and educational background. 
  • Issuing new secure ID cards to Syrians. 
  • Identifying, recording and referring persons with specific needs/vulnerabilities through the verification process. 

Support the PDMM’s and Phase II: 

 

  • Updating data of foreigners within the scope of International Protection and Temporary Protection. 
  • Foreigners with special needs under the scope of both International Protection and Temporary Protection are identified. 
  • These projects pay special attention to registration of newcomers, reducing the backlog of persons pending registration in ensuring the timely registration of approaching applicants. 

Partners

  • UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
  • European Union, Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO)

Challenges and how they were overcome

Within the scope of the Verification, DGMM and UNHCR developed outreach materials with a professional media company that had adequate experience in launching an outreach campaign of this kind and magnitude. The campaign was designed to use different methods (posters, leaflets, in-person information sessions and a series of animated videos) to reach different groups. To overcome language barrier in accessing information, all outreach and visibility materials were prepared in Arabic and Turkish.Likewise, a separate web page was designed specifically for verification purposes on UNHCR and DGMM websites. In combatting fraudulent behaviour, outreach and visibility materials including materials showcased in project sites highlighted that all services provided under the scope of TP are free of charge.  

Local authorities, NGOs, mukhtars, imams and community leaders were involved and their networks were used to disseminate information regarding verification.  

Mobile verification teams were established in Hatay, Mersin and Canakkale to conduct verification for persons with restricted mobility due to their specific needs and/or persons residing in remote areas. 

In order to mitigate and manage the high number of individuals approaching the verification centre, and to prevent them from having to do several trips there, an online appointment system was developed. Both temporary protection and international protection applicants could make their appointments either online, through the 157 YIMER call centre, or from reception desks at verification centres. Furthermore, the materials featured detailed information on the rights and obligations of the concerned individuals regarding their appointments, what to bring on the day of the appointment, what to expect, and the consequences of not conducting the verification. This avoided confusion and chaos as well as managed expectations. 

Personnel are employed within these projects, who have language skills including Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Somal and Turkmen. 

Verification Centers are rented or renovated in order to conduct actions and activities within the scope of these projects. 

Results of the Good Practice 

  • Collection of accurate data of TP and IP. 
  • Better analysis of the demographics of Syrians and IP in Turkey 
  • Introduction of verification as a part of continuous registration, where essential information of applicants is recorded at the time of arrival and approach to the PDMMs, including subsequent registration and updating information regarding demographic and other changes in their profile. 
  • Identification and providing services to PWSN/V. 

 

Submitted by:

Sümeyye Ildir, Directorate General of Migration Management, Ministry of Interior