Overview

Mrs. Leila, a 26-year-old Afghan woman, recently returned to Herat Province from Iran with her husband, M. Naser, and their two sons, Hasibullah and Mohsen. Her eldest son, Hasibullah, aged 10, suffers from an incurable disability known as PC-Cerebral Palsy. The family lives in a remote area outside the city, enduring extreme poverty and homelessness. They lack access to essential infrastructure and protective services, including primary medical care crucial for their disabled child. The absence of civil documentation, especially electronic ID cards, posed a significant barrier to their reintegration into Afghan society. Without valid identification, the family faced numerous obstacles: they could not register for a mobile SIM card, enroll Hasibullah in hospital care, or obtain vital social and medical services.

UNHCR Civil Documents Programme – Herat Province

Recognizing the critical role of legal identity in enabling access to rights and services, UNHCR’s Civil Documentation and Legal Assistance Project—implemented by ARAA—provided essential support to Mrs. Leila and her family. The programme specifically targets returnee families who face exclusion due to lack of valid civil documents. For Mrs. Leila’s family, the absence of electronic ID cards prevented not only social and medical access but also limited their ability to communication tools, and legal protections.

Under this initiative, ARAA’s legal team conducted thorough needs assessments and established personalized case management for families like Mrs. Leila’s. The programme facilitates awareness-raising sessions to inform returnees about the importance of civil documentation and their legal rights regarding identity registration. Mrs. Leila and her family were registered in the Kobo case management system, ensuring systematic tracking and timely follow-up. The legal team provided comprehensive guidance through every step of the application process with the Civil Registration Authority, including document collection, form completion, and understanding administrative procedures. This integrated support model not only helped Mrs. Leila’s family overcome technical and procedural hurdles but also empowered them with knowledge and confidence to assert their rights. After approximately two months of dedicated legal assistance and advocacy, Mrs. Leila’s family successfully obtained their electronic Afghan National ID cards, a vital step toward reestablishing their legal identity and accessing fundamental services.

Approach

ARAA’s legal team supported Mrs. Leila’s family by:

• Providing clear legal counseling and personalized guidance throughout the documentation process
• Registering their case in the Kobo system for consistent follow-up

• The family’s receipt of electronic ID cards.

• They could obtain a SIM card from a trusted telecommunications provider.
• Register Hasibullah for necessary medical care at the hospital
• Access social and medical services essential for their wellbeing

Conclusion

Mrs. Leila’s story is a powerful example of how UNHCR’s Civil Documentation Programme, in partnership with ARAA, dismantles barriers to reintegration by restoring legal identity. During follow-up visits, the family conveyed profound gratitude for the legal support and empowerment they received—an affirmation of the programme’s transformative impact on vulnerable populations.

Prepared by

Wahida Emadi

Lawyer at ARAA