Report on the Imperative of Resilient Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Systems for Disaster Management and Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific

The Critical Role of CRVS in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Asia-Pacific region, which experiences more natural disasters than any other, faces escalating risks from extreme environmental events. Central to effective disaster preparedness and response is the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system. These systems are foundational to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They directly support SDG Target 16.9, which calls for providing legal identity for all, including birth registration. Furthermore, by supplying accurate population data, CRVS systems enable the identification of vulnerable groups, targeted resource allocation, and effective recovery efforts, thereby building resilience to climate-related crises in alignment with SDG Target 1.5.

Systemic Vulnerabilities Exposed by Large-Scale Crises

Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant weaknesses in regional CRVS systems. Many were ill-equipped to manage the disruptions caused by a large-scale emergency. The surge in mortality rates overwhelmed registration capacities, resulting in a high proportion of unregistered deaths. This failure deprived policymakers of critical data needed for timely, evidence-based decision-making, directly impacting the ability to manage public health crises as outlined in SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). While many nations in the Asia-Pacific have since made improvements, as noted in the report Progress Made on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific, their resilience against future shocks remains a pressing concern for the continued pursuit of the SDGs.

Enhancing Disaster Response Capabilities with Resilient CRVS

Core Functions of CRVS in Disaster Management

Integrated CRVS data is a critical asset for comprehensive disaster management, supporting key objectives tied to the Sustainable Development Goals. Its primary functions include:

• Providing accurate baseline data on births, deaths, and population distribution for effective planning.
• Enhancing the coordination of relief efforts and post-disaster recovery.
• Enabling tailored risk reduction strategies by identifying at-risk communities.
• Supporting public health planning through cause-specific mortality data.
• Allowing governments to track disaster-related mortality, a key indicator for SDG Target 1.5 and SDG Target 11.5 (reducing deaths and economic losses from disasters).

Addressing Systemic Weaknesses

In the aftermath of a disaster, CRVS systems often face severe disruptions, including office closures, destruction of records, and an accumulation of unregistered vital events. To counteract these vulnerabilities and ensure progress towards the SDGs is not derailed, it is imperative to invest in crisis-ready systems. Essential measures include:

1. Developing and implementing business continuity plans and operational guidelines for emergencies.
2. Adopting digital solutions, such as online or mobile registration platforms, to maintain services when physical access is impossible.
3. Ensuring robust data backup and recovery protocols are in place.

Strategic Initiatives for Building Future-Ready CRVS Systems

ESCAP Leadership and Regional Commitments

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is actively collaborating with countries to build CRVS systems capable of withstanding disruptions and minimizing the impact of crises. This initiative was reinforced at the Third Ministerial Conference on CRVS in Asia and the Pacific, where delegates adopted the Ministerial Declaration on a Decade of Action for Inclusive and Resilient Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific. A central outcome of the conference was the formal recognition of CRVS as an essential service, vital for maintaining state functions and protecting citizens during emergencies, thereby safeguarding progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Conclusion: Safeguarding Development Gains through Resilient CRVS

As the frequency of climate-related disasters, conflicts, and pandemics increases, CRVS systems must be fortified to withstand these shocks. Their continuous operation is essential for issuing legal identities (SDG 16.9) and generating the data required to inform policy and protect vulnerable populations. Significant progress has been achieved in the region, with the number of children lacking birth registration decreasing from an estimated 135 million in 2012 to approximately 51 million in 2024. Protecting and building upon this progress requires sustained political commitment and investment to ensure CRVS systems are resilient, adaptive, and fully aligned with the demands of sustainable development.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The article connects Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems to building resilience against climate change and crises, which is a key aspect of poverty reduction. It states that CRVS systems “foster resilience to climate change and crises in line with SDG target 1.5.” By providing accurate population data, these systems help in identifying vulnerable populations, ensuring they receive relief aid, and enabling effective recovery, which prevents people from falling into poverty due to disasters.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This goal is central to the article’s theme. The text explicitly mentions that CRVS systems are “essential for ensuring that everyone has access to a legal identity, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 16.9.” A legal identity is a fundamental right and a cornerstone for accessing justice, social services, and participating in society, which are key components of strong and inclusive institutions.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.

   The article directly links resilient CRVS systems to this target. It explains that by providing “critical and accurate population data,” these systems enable “effective disaster planning, response, resource allocation, and recovery efforts.” Furthermore, it highlights that comprehensive death registration and cause-of-death records allow governments to “track disaster-related mortality, identify vulnerable populations, and develop evidence-based policies to reduce future disaster impacts,” thereby building resilience.

2. Target 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.

   This target is explicitly cited in the article as a primary function of CRVS systems. The text states that these systems are “essential for ensuring that everyone has access to a legal identity, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 16.9.” The article’s focus on strengthening birth and death registration processes and the data provided on the reduction of unregistered children directly relate to the progress towards achieving universal legal identity through birth registration.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Birth Registration Rate

  The article implies the use of this indicator (specifically, the proportion of children whose births are registered) by providing concrete data. It states, “In 2012, an estimated 135 million children in Asia and the Pacific lacked birth registration, but by 2024, this number had decreased to approximately 51 million.” This data directly measures progress towards Target 16.9.

• Completeness of Death Registration and Cause-of-Death Data

  The article highlights the importance of this indicator, especially during crises. It notes that during the COVID-19 pandemic, “the proportion of [deaths] that went by unregistered” increased, which hampered decision-making. It also emphasizes that “Cause-specific mortality data derived from death registration further supports health planning,” indicating that the availability and quality of this data are key metrics for a resilient system.

• Disaster-Related Mortality Data

  This is an implied indicator for measuring resilience under Target 1.5. The article states that a key function of CRVS is to “enable governments to track disaster-related mortality.” The ability to accurately count and report deaths caused by disasters is a measure of the system’s effectiveness in supporting disaster risk reduction and response.

Table of Findings

Source: reliefweb.int