Homeless Persons to Get Birth Certificates on World Homeless Day

In observance of World Homeless Day, which will be recognised on October 10, 2019, a number of homeless persons within Portland will benefit by receiving their birth certificates, an initiative spearheaded by the Portland Municipal Corporation. “The Registrar General’s Department (RGD) in association with the National Identification System (NIDS) Project, is proud to partner with the Portland Municipal Corporation, custodian of the Portland Homeless Committee, to serve in the processing of and if necessary the registration of homeless persons in Portland,” informed Desmond Davis, acting CEO of the RGD. The RGD, in collaboration with the NIDS Project, will continue to embark on several outreach programmes across the island to ensure that every Jamaican is registered and has access to their birth records. According to Warren Vernon, NIDS Project Director, “Birth certificates perform a variety of functions in today’s world. For most of us, a birth certificate is an immutable document that guides our identity; allowing us to receive a bank account, a tax registration number, a passport, a driver’s license, a bank account and access to credit.” While we take this for granted, many Jamaicans are not that fortunate, and the aim of the undocumented programme is to help the less fortunate gain access to the formal system.” “World Homeless Day is an opportunity for us to respond to the needs of homeless persons who may have never been registered, partially registered or whose birth certificates may have been damaged or destroyed in a fire or flood,” stated Vernon. The NIDS Project continues to partner with various stakeholders to assist Jamaicans who are without a birth certificate to acquire one.