UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was created in 1950, during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of refugees who had fled or lost their homes in Europe. UNHCR now has more than 16,800 staff members working in 134 countries to serve a total of 70.8 millions people who were forcibly displaced and millions of those who do not have any nationality worldwide.
Our primary purpose at UNHCR is to safeguard the rights and well-being of people who have been forced to flee. Together with partners and communities, we work to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country. We also strive to secure lasting solutions.
UNHCR is governed by the UN General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The UNHCR Executive Committee approves the agency’s biennial programmes and the corresponding budget. These are presented by the High Commissioner, who is appointed by the UN General Assembly.
The High Commissioner is responsible for the direction and control of UNHCR. He or she directs our work with the assistance of a Deputy High Commissioner and Assistant High Commissioners for Protection and Operations.