HumanCoop has entered into a humanitarian partnership with Identy.io to deploy facial biometric identity verification solutions aimed at improving healthcare delivery for thousands of undocumented patients in Africa.
HumanCoop operates in northern Mauritania, where a team of volunteer healthcare professionals and technical experts provides both primary and specialised medical care through periodic missions.
A statement on Wednesday stated that the organisation’s interventions currently benefit more than 2,500 people, particularly in remote desert communities where access to healthcare and formal identification systems remains limited.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, over 350,000 individuals across North Africa and the Middle East lack identity or nationality. Without official documentation to certify their identities, many are unable to obtain formal records, including medical files necessary for effective treatment monitoring and continuity of care.
Under the new agreement, Identy.io will provide HumanCoop with access to its facial biometric identity verification technology for use during field missions. The solution will enable the unique identification of each patient, even in the absence of documented identity, nationality, or prior medical history.
This is expected to facilitate faster access to medical records and significantly reduce the duplication of patient files, a recurring challenge when undocumented individuals attend consultations without proof of previous visits.
Identy.io’s biometric technology operates entirely offline, processing and storing data directly on the device without requiring internet connectivity or cloud storage. This feature is considered critical for operations in remote areas of the Sahara Desert, where connectivity is unreliable, and for safeguarding the privacy of vulnerable populations whose sensitive information could otherwise be exposed to cyber threats.
HumanCoop is set to launch an initial implementation phase of the technology in Bir Mogrein, Mauritania. The rollout will involve user registration during two medical missions, with the primary objective of establishing a biometric patient database and ensuring its integration with the organisation’s existing clinical records system. After this phase, the solution will be gradually expanded to other operational areas, including Zouerate, where HumanCoop conducts surgical missions.
Comprehensive training will be provided to local teams and volunteers on the use of the biometric verification tools. Continuous evaluation mechanisms will also be introduced to assess improvements in identification accuracy, service delivery times, and follow-up on patient cases.
Founded in 2020, HumanCoop focuses its activities in northern Mauritania, particularly in the Tiris Zemmour region, with special emphasis on Bir Mogrein and occasional surgical missions in Zouerate. The organisation conducts between 600 and 1,200 medical consultations during each mission in Bir Mogrein and carries out numerous surgical procedures in Zouerate.
Identy.io, which operates globally, specialises in identity verification through advanced contactless mobile biometrics and digital credential creation. Its technology uses smartphone cameras and flash capabilities to capture biometric data such as facial features and fingerprints. The information is processed and stored on users’ devices, reducing exposure to cloud-based attacks or data breaches.
Beyond its partnership with HumanCoop, Identy.io collaborates with other social organisations, including The Exodus Road, which focuses on preventing human trafficking, and My Family ID, a mobile application designed to capture digital credentials for elderly individuals and minors, enabling authorities to access critical information in cases of disappearance or abduction.
According to the CEO of Identy.io, Jesús Aragón, “We believe that biometrics is becoming a global security standard, enabling collaboration on significant issues beyond just fraud or identity theft prevention.
“Working with organizations like HumanCoop gives purpose to our efforts to develop technological solutions that support underserved communities. We take pride in contributing to the improvement of living conditions for thousands of people in North Africa and are grateful to HumanCoop for their trust in our company.”
President of HumanCoop, Ignacio Calatayud, said the collaboration aligns with the organisation’s mission to prioritise vulnerable populations. “At our organization, people have always been our top priority. Since our founding, we have focused on reaching places that others do not, using our medical knowledge and experience to enhance healthcare conditions in disadvantaged communities across the Maghreb.
“Thanks to our collaboration with Identy.io, we can now operate more efficiently and tailor treatments more effectively to each patient’s medical history. In doing so, we hope to strengthen trust in the healthcare system, provide better care, improve follow-up, and ultimately cultivate a more protected community.”
The partnership underscores growing efforts to leverage digital identity solutions to address healthcare access challenges among displaced and undocumented populations across the region.
