UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is mandated by the UN General Assembly to lead international action to provide legal and physical protection to refugees, asylum-seekers and others of concern while pursuing durable, comprehensive solutions with relevant governments. UNHCR aims at facilitating solutions with a view to protect, assist and safeguard the rights and well-being of people, who are forced to flee their homes because of conflict, violence, persecution or human rights violations.

For more than 72 years, UNHCR has helped millions of people to a better future, leading international action to protect refugees, internally displaced people, stateless persons, asylum-seekers and returnees and providing a hope away from home to the best possible extent.

Our vision is a world where every person forced to flee can build a better future.

UNHCR provides life-saving assistance including shelter, food, water and medical care in emergencies around the world. It works to ensure fundamental human rights, including the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country. UNHCR also works to find durable solutions, making sure that people forced to flee have a safe place to call home and are given the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

UNHCR is working in 135 countries, and the large majority of the approx. 20,000 staff members are based in the field.