Biometric Update (2024) News article / media

UNHCR biometric program facilitates cash aid delivery to 39K Afghan returnees

Biometric Update

Ref: SRC-001-AFG-001

https://www.biometricupdate.com/202402/unhcr-biometric-program-facilitates-cash-aid-delivery-to-39k-afghan-returnees

Accessed: 3/24/2026

Summary

Reports on the FARE programme providing biometric-verified cash assistance to approximately 39,000 Afghan returnees. Details BIMS as a multimodal platform capturing fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition, enrolled across 96 locations globally with at least 13 million individuals. Describes the matching process, data protection SOPs, and the completion of the FARE registration drive in 2022.

View Harvard reference

Biometric Update (2024). UNHCR biometric program facilitates cash aid delivery to 39K Afghan returnees. Biometric Update, February 2024. Available at: https://www.biometricupdate.com/202402/unhcr-biometric-program-facilitates-cash-aid-delivery-to-39k-afghan-returnees (Accessed 24 Mar 2026).

Linked Cases (1)

AFG-001 AFG Operational Deployment (Limited Rollout)

UNHCR Afghanistan FARE Cash Assistance: Biometric Identity Verification at Encashment Centres (PRIMES/BIMS)

Social assistance Deep learning