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    Salomon Fofanah feels like himself at last. For the first time in four years, he can prove to the world who he is.When war broke out in Liberia, Salomon, his wife Hawe Johnson and their two daughters had to move fast. Like millions of refugees around the world, they lost everything, including their identity papers when they fled into Senegal in 1996. Salomon, a driver, and his wife who is a tailor found life difficult enough as refugees without losing their identities. However, a new tool developed by the United Nations and leaders from the information technology industry is helping families like Salomon’s to feel more secure. In response to the 1999 crisis in Kosovo, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) worked to design and deploy a refugee registration system with Microsoft and its corporate partners—Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, Canon, Kingston Technology, Securit World Ltd. and ScreenCheck BV. Some 35 Microsoft volunteers from 9 countries supported the Kosovar Refugee Registration Project. Each identification kit contained a laptop computer, digital camera, card printer and other accessories. Refugees were registered and their biographical details entered into a database. They were then issued identification cards with a photograph and signature. The database was also used to help distribute aid and to search for and reunite families. Private sector expertise in information technology and telecommunications can have a big impact on humanitarian and refugee emergency operations. The use of information technology has been a breakthrough in providing assistance to disadvantaged people in remote corners of the world, often in difficult circumstances. FIND OUT MORE about how the UN Works with business and industry to assist relief workers during humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters. Go to the links next to Salomon. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS STORIES: Vaike and Randar make connections Ademir and Valdir are Working Again | Abdullah's Cash Cows Photo credit: UNHCR/Patrick Schuler |
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