Rohingya Project

The Rohingya Project is a grassroots initiative launched in 2019 that aims to provide digital identities to stateless Rohingya refugees using blockchain technology. The project implements Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) principles through their R-ID system, which allows users to control their own data and decide which credentials can be accessed by third parties.

The technical implementation leverages a private, permissioned Ethereum blockchain network and includes an R-Wallet mobile application for managing digital identities. In January 2019, the project joined Evernym's Accelerator Program alongside organizations like the Red Cross to develop their SSI solution. The system uses ERC20-based R-Coins as utility tokens to reward community participation and enable access to services. Key technical components include:

• Verification System for establishing Rohingya identity claims
• Blockchain Infrastructure for secure identity management
• Digital Wallet infrastructure for credential storage
• Smart Contracts for managing R-Coin transactions

The project conducted a pilot in 2019 targeting 1,000 initial digital identities, primarily focusing on the Rohingya diaspora in Malaysia. While not intended to replace official documentation like UNHCR cards, the system aims to facilitate financial inclusion and access to basic services for stateless individuals. A feasibility study was conducted by the University of Washington examining implementation considerations across pilot nations including Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia.