What is UNHCR
The UN Refugee Agency is a lifeline for people displaced by violence, conflict and persecution.
About UNHCR
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), also known as the UN Refugee Agency, is the world’s leading organization aiding and protecting people forced to flee their homes due to violence, conflict and persecution. UNHCR provides shelter, food, water, medical care and other life-saving assistance to refugees around the world.
The dream of most refugees is to return home. When possible, UNHCR helps refugees make this dream a reality. When refugees can’t go back home, we work to find opportunities for them to rebuild their lives in another country. Since its formation by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950, UNHCR has helped millions of refugees restart their lives and has twice received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Today, UNHCR’s committed staff of 10,828 work in 130 countries—saving and protecting lives, and building a better future for 67 million displaced people around the world.
Learn more about who we help, where we work, and how you can help today.
UNHCR has helped an estimated 50 million refugees restart their lives.
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Who We Help
We help people whose lives have been turned upside down by crisis. Whenever and wherever people are uprooted by conflict, UNHCR is there offering life-saving assistance and protection.
Where We Work
UNHCR works in 130 countries around the world. Our staff are based in some of the most isolated, volatile and challenging places in the world.
Latest News
Our presence in 130 countries gives you access to breaking news and information from some of the most remote and hard-to-reach places on Earth.