Islamic Republic of Iran

2015 UNHCR country operations profile - Islamic Republic of Iran

| Overview |

Working environment

• Despite the voluntary return of hundreds of thousands of Afghan and Iraqi refugees to their countries of origin during the past decade, the Islamic Republic of Iran remains host to one of the world's largest and most protracted refugee populations.

• Between January 2002 and June 2014, UNHCR assisted 918,263 Afghans in voluntarily returning home from the Islamic Republic of Iran. A total of 30,349 Iraqi refugees have been assisted to repatriate voluntarily since 2003. However, the number of people who have returned in 2013-2014 is lower than in previous years, so they require continued assistance.

• The global economic downturn, removal of subsidies, and intensified international sanctions have caused hyperinflation, affected the delivery of basic services, and resulted in a dramatic rise in living costs in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Some 24 per cent of registered refugees are considered vulnerable, a rate that is expected to increase due to the economic situation.

• Sanctions also continue to negatively impact UNHCR's ability to provide humanitarian assistance in an effective and timely manner. High inflation rates have substantial consequences for both the operation and partners.

• The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran plays an active role in the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR). This strategy promotes a holistic approach to enhancing prospects of sustainable returns and attaining a permanent solution for the protracted refugee situation.

• The Government is the primary contributor to the country's refugee programmes through its ministries. Additional support is provided through semi-governmental organizations and social charities.

People of concern

The main populations of concern to UNHCR in 2015 in the Islamic Republic of Iran include Afghan refugees, the majority of whom arrived before 2001 as prima facie refugees. About 97 per cent of the country's refugees live in rural and urban areas; only three per cent live in settlements. Following the comprehensive registration programme of refugees in 2001, all Afghan asylum-seekers are required to have their refugee status determined on an individual basis through the government refugee status determination (RSD) procedure.

Also of concern are Iraqi refugees, most of whom were registered in 2002 as prima facie refugees. New Iraqi asylum-seekers are now also required to have their refugee status determined individually through the government RSD procedure. The majority of newly arrived Iraqi refugees originate from central Iraq.

| Response |

Needs and strategies

The organization will aim to bolster the country's asylum space by supporting the Government, and will support building refugees' human capital in preparation for a sustainable return to their country of origin or to a third country.

The programme focuses on health, education, livelihood generation and durable solutions. Hence, projects will empower refugees to contribute to reconstructing Afghanistan and facilitate their reintegration upon eventual return. The implementation of cross-border initiatives will help prioritize projects and initiatives to increase their impact.

UNHCR will enhance its interventions in urban areas, where most vulnerable refugees reside. Future interventions in settlements will take into account the urgency of assistance, cost-effectiveness, and protection concerns. Interventions in settlements will be streamlined to ensure assistance does not become a pull-factor increasing the population, but rather improves the standard of living of existing residents and promotes peaceful coexistence with host communities.

| Implementation |

Coordination

The Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants' Affairs, which has the overall responsibility for coordinating refugee affairs in cooperation with other line ministries, remains UNHCR's main partner when implementing activities and coordinating with other actors.

The Office will continue to coordinate with WFP to support vulnerable refugees in settlements with food.

With UNIDO, the Technical and Vocational Training Organization, Forest Range and Watershed Management Organization, Nippon International Cooperation for Community Development and World Relief Foundation, UNHCR seeks to implement livelihood projects.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education will continue to be UNHCR's main partner concerning education; while activities will also be jointly implemented with UNICEF and NGOs.

The Ministry of Health will remain the key actor in providing health services; however, activities for people of concern with specific needs will continue to rely on other implementing partners such as the Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, the State Welfare Organization of Iran, Association for Protection of Refugee Women and Children, Society for Recovery Support, and Iraqi Refugee Aid Council.

| Financial information |

During the past five years, UNHCR's budget in the Islamic Republic of Iran has gradually increased to better address the needs of Afghan and Iraqi refugees. In 2015, the operation's budget totals USD 73 million, amounting to 6.3 per cent (USD 4.3 million) more than in 2014.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2015 Update

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