IT giants create refugee database

The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR is working with Microsoft, Compaq and Hewlett-Packard (HP) to create a system to register Kosovo refugees in Albania.

There are currently more than 400,000 Kosovars in Albania, the largest refugee exodus in Europe since the Bosnian war, and many are without identification cards. The system will enable aid workers to perform a database search to reunite separated families and distribute relief supplies.

In a written statement, Sadako Ogata, UN High Commissioner, said he was impressed by the help offered by the IT industry. "Without their help the registration exercise would be substantially more difficult," he said.

The Williams H Gates Foundation, a charitable organisation set up by Microsoft CEO, Bill Gates, made a cash donation of $1.2m as well as sending $600,000 worth of software, technical services and training. Compaq and HP have each given $250,000 - enough money to buy about 120 laptop computers.

Two specialist ID card software companies, Secrit World and ScreenCheck BV have donated software, printers and cameras.

Frank Schott, director of business development at Microsoft, said: "The project has been on a fast track since it started two and a half weeks ago. To build a system like this takes a lot of coordination, hardware and software so we called on the help of our strategic partners."

He said the company has already sent employees to Albania and would be pleased to offer more assistance. Due to security, the Albanian government and UN will hold separate copies of the database, but the central processing unit will be held at two locations in Terran.

The first phase of registration will begin on 17 May and the final phase, including issuance of identity cards, will start in early June.