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UNHCR plans to help build 1,200 new shelters in Kakuma camp, Kenya, to house new refugees in 2003. © UNHCR/B.Press |
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We Have the Answer
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the UN Refugee Agency. Established in 1951, today we are responsible for helping refugees in 120 countries. UNHCR is the only agency with the specific mandate to protect refugees and help resolve refugee problems worldwide.
When people are forced to flee because of war or persecution, they turn to UNHCR for immediate assistance. We offer them food, shelter, water, sanitation and security, while working to find lasting solutions to their plight. When possible, we help refugees and other displaced people return home voluntarily and safely. If necessary, we help them settle in another country where they can start a new life.
UNHCR is strictly non-political and we help all refugees, regardless of race, religion, political opinion or gender. We focus on their humanitarian needs and rights, especially those of women and children.
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The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees defines a refugee as "a person who, owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country." For more information on refugees and the 1951 convention, click here.
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As of April 2008, UNHCR had a total of 6,351 staff members – regular
as well as temporary – in 268 offices located in 117 countries. UNHCR
continued to help 32.9 million persons worldwide, an increase of 58 percent
over the previous year’s 20.8 million. More
than 86.8 percent of UNHCR staff work in the field, often in remote and dangerous
locations. We are active in nearly all refugee situations
and crises worldwide. From Colombia to Kosovo and from Angola to Afghanistan,
UNHCR is there to help uprooted people. We provide basic services, offer legal
protection, and work to develop lasting solutions for refugees and other displaced
persons. For more information, check out:
Refugee
by Numbers on the public webbpage www.unhcr.org.
More statistics in the UNHCR brochure "Protecting
refugees".
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UNHCR's annual budget is revised every year. Voluntary contributions from governments and generous people like you accounted for nearly 97% of our total budget. Less than 3% comes from the UN regular Budget. As refugee needs continue to grow, UNHCR is seeking greater support from individual donors as well as corporations and foundations worldwide.
For more information please download our:
Annual Report for private donors from the public webbsite www.unchr.org.
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UNHCR's administrative costs account for approximately 10% of the total budget. Nearly 90% of all funds are spent on services directly helping refugees. 80% of our staff work in the field, where the refugees are. Fundraising, Public Awareness and Advocacy costs represent only 1% of UNHCR's total budget. For the budget breakdown in any given year please download our:
Annual Report for private donors from the public webbsite www.unhcr.org.
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All of our programs are designed to help find lasting solutions to refugees' problems, whether it's helping them return home or settle in other countries. UNHCR delivers emergency and long-term rehabilitation assistance to 19.2 million refugees and other people of concern in 116 countries. The agency's work around the world falls under these main sectors:
All programmes and sectoral projects are intended to mitigate the harsh circumstances in which refugees find themselves and to create opportunities to re-establish their lives. Special focus is given to the most vulnerable whose capacity to withstand rigorous living conditions is weaker. Women, children, unaccompanied minors, households headed by women and single parents, the disabled and handicapped, the elderly, survivors of violence and isolated social groups receive prioritised UNHCR care in all refugee crises.
For detailed country-by-country information on its Global Programmes, see:
the UNHCR Global Appeal on the public webbsite www.unhcr.org.
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The work we do would be impossible without extensive cooperation with our partners in the field. UNHCR works with approximately 450 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and with many other intergovernmental and UN agencies to deliver services directly to refugees. We also work closely with governments to support safe and respectful asylum policies, to negotiate refugee camp locations and security, and to guarantee safety for refugees upon their return home. For more information please visit our:
Partners pages
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We would be pleased to provide you with additional information or answer any questions you may have.
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