--- title: UNRWA Refugee Registration Information System (RRIS) Modernization url: https://www.velsof.com/case-studies/unrwa-refugee-registration-information-system-rris-modernization/ date: 2026-05-04 type: case_study author: Velocity Software Solutions client: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) industry: Humanitarian / Refugee Services location: "Jordan (Headquarters), with operations across Jordan, Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic, West Bank (including East Jerusalem), and Gaza Strip" categories: Case Studies tags: Dashboard, Education, Healthcare, Mobile App, NGO, react-js-development, Sharepoint, UNDP, UNICEF, Web Application Development --- ## The Challenge UNRWA maintains the Refugee Registration Information System (RRIS), one of its core enterprise systems, holding active records of 5.6 million Palestine refugees and 0.7 million other service-eligible persons. This system underpins the Agency’s management of serviced populations across health, education, and relief programmes. However, the legacy system faced critical challenges: - **Outdated Technology Stack**: The system was built on .NET Framework 4.5 and legacy ASP.NET, both significantly behind current versions, making maintenance difficult and limiting support options. - **Tightly Coupled Architecture**: Registration Services and Relief and Social Services were closely coupled within a single database, creating dependencies that hindered independent development and deployment. - **Fragmented Data Sources**: Years of development without proper integration resulted in multiple data sources and technologies without alignment. - **Outdated User Interface**: The UI was not user-friendly, impacting staff willingness and efficiency in using the system. - **Scale of Operations**: The system managed over 1,054 stored procedures, 35 million [SharePoint](https://www.velsof.com/software-development/) Online documents, and 9 Application Programmable Interfaces serving multiple integrated systems including eHealth, Hospitalization, Scholarship, and mobile applications. UNRWA sought to modernize the entire RRIS ecosystem by separating Registration and Relief systems, migrating to modern platforms, and developing new capabilities for refugees and staff alike. ## Velocity’s Solution ### Scope of Work Velocity proposed a comprehensive modernization strategy organized across three major lots: **Lot 1: Migration of RRIS Registration to eUNRWA and Microsoft Dynamics 365** – Designed a new microservices-based architecture with a separate database for the Registration Module – Developed a migration roadmap in alignment with UNRWA’s enterprise architecture team – Migrated current RRIS registration data to the new database on Microsoft Dynamics 365 – Provided one year of post-implementation support and maintenance **Lot 2: Development of the Relief Assistance Management (RAM) System** – Built a comprehensive new RAM system encompassing Social Safety Net (SSNP) and Emergency Assistance (EA) functionality – Developed a staff [web portal](https://www.velsof.com/web-development/) for UNRWA personnel to access and manage RAM – Designed the system with its own dedicated database within the new enterprise architecture **Lot 3: Development of the eUNRWA Web Portal** – Created a web portal for refugees to access Registration and Relief Assistance services online – Enabled secure access to digital documentation, registration applications, and real-time application tracking – Integrated with the [mobile application](https://www.velsof.com/mobile-app-development/) ecosystem for a unified user experience ### Key Features & Deliverables - **Microservices Architecture**: Designed with functional cohesion, low coupling, independent deployability, language-agnostic interfaces, and containerization - **Relief Assistance Management (RAM) System** with modules for: - Beneficiary application and enrollment workflows - Digital Identity Verification integration - Eligibility determination with automated targeting criteria - Distribution list generation and financial reconciliation - SMS and email notification systems - Multi-field case management across all five UNRWA fields of operations - **eUNRWA Web Portal** providing refugees with: - View and edit registration information (personal, address, contact, family details) - Family Registration E-Card with QR code verification - Online submission of registration applications (marriage, descendants, divorce, death) - Document upload to RRIS SharePoint - Real-time application status tracking - Relief assistance application and tracking - **Bilingual Support**: All beneficiary-facing systems provided in both English and Arabic - **API Gateway Development**: Full integration between RAM, eUNRWA, and the Registration module on Microsoft Dynamics 365 - **Support and Maintenance**: One year of post-implementation support for all developed systems ### Technology Stack - Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Customer Service, Omnichannel) - [Azure](https://www.velsof.com/cloud-services/) AD B2C Authentication - Azure API Management - Azure Communication Services - [React.js](https://www.velsof.com/react-js-development/) (Mobile Application) - SQL Server 2019 (Clustered with failover) - SharePoint Online / SharePoint 2016 - Microsoft Cognitive Services (Identity Verification) - .NET Core / ASP.NET Core - [Android](https://www.velsof.com/android-development/) Platform (SSN and PDM Tablet Applications) ## Implementation Approach The project followed a phased approach aligned with UNRWA’s enterprise architecture standards: 1. **Architecture Design Phase**: Developed a new enterprise architecture proposal based on microservices principles, ensuring each system component could be independently deployed and maintained. 2. **Migration Phase**: Carefully migrated the Registration module from the legacy RRIS to Microsoft Dynamics 365, ensuring data integrity for 5.6 million refugee records. 3. **Development Phase**: Built the RAM system and eUNRWA Web Portal in parallel, with regular stakeholder engagement across all five fields of operations. 4. **Integration Phase**: Developed the API Gateway for seamless integration between all system components, including the UNRWA Integration Hub using Azure Data Gateway services. 5. **Testing and Deployment Phase**: Comprehensive testing across all fields with user acceptance testing involving registration staff, DIVA agents, and field workers. 6. **Support Phase**: Dedicated one-year post-implementation support and maintenance for each system component. The team included enterprise architects, .NET/Dynamics 365 developers, React.js mobile developers, database specialists, QA engineers, and project managers. ## Key Outcomes & Impact - **Modernized Architecture**: Successfully separated Registration and Relief systems into independent, loosely coupled microservices, enabling independent development and deployment cycles. - **Improved Service Delivery**: Refugees gained the ability to access registration and relief services through both mobile and web channels, reducing the need for in-person visits to UNRWA offices. - **Enhanced Data Management**: Established separate, dedicated databases for Registration and Relief functions, eliminating data management complexities of the legacy monolithic system. - **Scalable Platform**: The new architecture on Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Azure provides a scalable foundation for future enhancements and integrations. - **Operational Efficiency**: Automated workflows for beneficiary enrollment, eligibility determination, and distribution management streamlined operations across all five fields. - **Digital Identity Verification**: Leveraged AI-powered identity verification using Microsoft Cognitive Services for secure and efficient refugee authentication. ## Why Velocity Velocity was selected for this engagement based on several key differentiators: - **UN System Experience**: Extensive track record of delivering complex software solutions for United Nations agencies including UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR, and WFP across multiple countries. - **Enterprise System Expertise**: Deep experience in designing and implementing large-scale enterprise systems with Microsoft technologies including Dynamics 365, Azure, and .NET. - **Migration Competency**: Proven ability to execute complex system migrations while maintaining data integrity and ensuring zero downtime for critical operations. - **Agile Delivery**: Demonstrated capability to deliver in phased, iterative cycles with regular stakeholder engagement and quality assurance checkpoints. - **Multilingual Development**: Experience building bilingual (English/Arabic) systems for organizations operating across the Middle East and North Africa region. ### Related Services [React.js Development](/react-js-development/)[Mobile App Development](/mobile-app-development/)