People line up at the department of nationality, passport, and immigration in Juba. (Courtesy).

Over 50 immigration officers have been trained in Juba on improving South Sudan’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) management system, including keeping accurate record of the birth and death rates.

The training focused on the enhancement of the CRVS system, a framework designed to record key life events such as births and deaths, as well as the collection and dissemination of demographic data.

The CRVS system plays a crucial role in providing individuals with legal identity and secure civil documentation, which is essential for accessing social and economic opportunities.

The programs also supports effective governance, policy-making, and the delivery of public services by managing demographic information accurately.

Interior Minister Angelina Teny said the initiative marks a significant milestone in modernizing South Sudan’s civil registration system to ensure that legal identities are recorded promptly and efficiently.

Minister Angelina also emphasized the importance of continuous training programs for immigration officers to further enhance their professional capabilities.

She stressed that such programs are key to maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of the CRVS system.

Despite the well-documented benefits of CRVS, many countries do not have adequate systems in place, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The births of tens of millions of children are known to be unregistered every year, and it is estimated that two-thirds of deaths are never registered and are thus not counted in the vital statistics system.