Partnership in Protection

UNHCR has established partnerships with a wide variety of actors to deal with the crucial issues of refugee protection, resettlement and operations. In order to more efficiently carry out its mandate, UNHCR works both with Implementing and Operational partners.

Implementing partners are funded by UNHCR. Institutions who do not receive funding from us but who play a major role in refugee operations, are known as Operational partners.

One aspect of the partnership process is the Reach Out programme, established in 1997 when our protection mandate faced serious challenges. Since the 11 September attacks on the United States, the need to protect and defend refugees and asylum-seekers has become even more crucial given the current climate of hostility towards uprooted people.