UNHCR

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a United Nations agency dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees, forcibly displaced people, and stateless individuals. Its mandate is to safeguard these populations through protection, humanitarian assistance, and the pursuit of durable solutions. The agency is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with operations in many countries worldwide.

UNHCR was established in 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly to address displacement in the aftermath of World War II. Its mandate has evolved to cover refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people, and stateless persons. Its work is anchored in international refugee law, notably the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, and it collaborates with governments, non-governmental organizations, and other UN bodies.

Core activities include protection and determination of refugee status, registration and documentation, and the provision of shelter, food, water, medical care, and education. UNHCR also supports voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement to third countries, and works to prevent statelessness and resolve citizenship issues.

Governance and structure: The High Commissioner leads UNHCR. Since 2016, the office has been led by Filippo Grandi. The organization also relies on the Executive Committee (ExCom) of the High Commissioner’s Programme and maintains a headquarters in Geneva along with a network of field offices and country operations. Its work is funded primarily through voluntary contributions from governments, private donors, and other partners.

UNHCR operates in hundreds of locations to respond to crises and protect displaced populations, including conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and the Sahel. The organization faces ongoing challenges such as funding shortfalls, access constraints in volatile environments, and political or logistical obstacles to durable solutions, while continuing to advocate for refugee protection and rights.