"The Uncounted" is a project by Colombian-American photographer and filmmaker Juan Arredondo. It highlights people who lack official records like birth or death certificates. Sometimes, these documents exist but are nearly impossible to find.
Arredondo traveled to six countries to show how important these records are and what happens when they are missing. His photos are on display at the Photoville exhibition in Brooklyn, New York.
When a birth goes unrecorded, a person lacks a legal identity. This means they miss out on rights, services, and protections.
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Start Your News DetoxGoodlive Nyiramajyambere (left), Hosee Nziyonemeye (center) and Icamdenien Uwamahoro (right), sort through the paper archives searching for birth and death registration of their relatives at the Civil Registration Office. While Rwanda is actively digitizing all papercivil records, physical copies are still required for some official procedures. The transition to digital systems aims to improve accessibility. Image: Juan Arredondo
An unrecorded death means someone is invisible to the health system. The cause of their death becomes a missing piece of data. This data could help prevent future deaths. Arredondo notes that nearly half of all deaths and 25% of all births worldwide go unrecorded each year.
 February 28, 2025. Agusan del Norte, Philippines Nurses at the Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital perform initial checkups on the date of the recorded birth. Image: Juan Arredondo
The Impact of Being Counted
In Bangladesh, mothers received new birth certificates during a government drive. These certificates allow them to join a food assistance program. This shows a direct benefit of official documentation.
Jennifer Ellis, who leads the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative, explains that understanding birth and death data is crucial for public health. This is especially true for understanding why children and others die prematurely.
Many deaths in remote or low-income countries happen at home. This means the medical reasons for these deaths often remain unknown. Without this information, communities and governments cannot identify new health threats or track disease outbreaks.
 November 29, 2024. University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia Forensic pathologists and support staff prepare for the day's death investigations. Records of causes of death are critical in establishing priorities for a country's healthcare system. Image: Juan Arredondo
With good data, health officials can create effective policies. For example, in Zambia, the Bloomberg Philanthropies program studied childhood mortality. They found that 75% of children born with untreated HIV died by age five. This led to a policy change. At-risk children were tested and treated. As a result, the number of children tested and treated rose from 3% to 85%.
December 3, 2024. Death Registration Office, Kitwe, Zambia Lazarus Kangasa waits at the Kitwe City Council Registration Office for a burial permit, the final step in certifying and obtaining his son's death certificate. Image: Juan Arredondo
Arredondo collaborated with the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health (D4H) Initiative, Vital Strategies, and the CDC Foundation. His photos tell the stories of those who are uncounted and what it means to finally be counted.
 June 14, 2025. Rulindo District, Rwanda Thacien Ngirabatware (left) and his mother, Aurelia Muhayimana, recount the circumstances of her husband's death from heart failure to Aciadomme Inqaise, a verbal autopsy officer. Verbal autopsies are part of a national effort to improve data for death records. Image: Juan Arredondo
 February 25, 2025. Quezon City, Philippines Arthur R. Caballero holds the urn containing the ashes of his mother, Erma R. Caballero. The funeral service, provided free of charge, is part of an initiative to support families who cannot afford funeral expenses. Image: Juan Arredondo
Deep Dive & References
Photoville exhibition Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative Vital Strategies CDC Foundation
