What We Do | UNHCR

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What We Do

Today, over 1.5% of the world population has been forcibly uprooted. UNHCR protects refugees, internally displaced people, and stateless communities, meets their basic needs, and guarantees the respect of their human rights, wherever they are in the world.

With a presence in over 135 countries, UNHCR has more than 18,000 people among its staff. 91% of them are working in the field to bring immediate relief to the people fleeing conflicts and persecution. Beyond emergency relief, UNHCR also works to provide refugees with sustainable solutions for a better future.

Find out more about UNHCR’s main activities.

Emergency relief

People forced to flee their homes leave almost everything behind them in their search for safety and protection. UNHCR brings them the humanitarian response they need.

Health and hygiene

Ensuring the health and hygiene of displaced persons is one of UNHCR's primary tasks.

Human rights protection

UNHCR works to ensure the rights of displaced people, refugees and stateless persons are respected. Wherever they are.

More than one in two refugee children were not enrolled in secondary school in 2024 – nearly 7.2 million refugee children are still out of school. UNHCR works to promote access to education among refugees and IDPs.

Economic Inclusion

UNHCR helps find durable solutions for displaced people.

UNHCR works to ensure food security for those forced to flee their homes.

Latest News

Discover the latest news linked to our activities.

World Refugee Day: A bittersweet celebration

This World Refugee Day, we are not celebrating. Faced with dramatic budget cuts, millions of refugees are losing access to shelter, education and healthcare. Take action with us. Donate today.

UNHCR

Fri 20/06/2025 - 08:57

Global displacement at record high: UNHCR’s 2024 Global Trends and why it matters for Switzerland

UNHCR's Global Trends 2024 reveals 123 million displaced people. Discover key facts, debunk myths, and learn how Switzerland can help.

UNHCR

Mon 16/06/2025 - 13:22

Thank You, MSC Foundation: Supporting Flood Relief in Chad

anitarian response. We are pleased to announce the signed agreement formalizing this significant contribution. It will significantly strengthen UNHCR’s ability to assist those displaced by the flooding.

UNHCR

Tue 29/10/2024 - 10:08

Number of displaced persons continues to rise: "Countless human tragedies"

The number of people worldwide who were forced to flee from conflict, violence and persecution has risen again: Last May, the staggering number of 120 million has been announced by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in its Global Trends Report 2023. The figure

UNHCR

Wed 19/06/2024 - 07:56

One year of conflict in Sudan: "It's heartbreaking to see these people"

The conflict in Sudan began a year ago. The UNHCR regional director in charge describes the situation as heartbreaking.

UNHCR

Fri 12/04/2024 - 11:46

Underfunding for UNHCR - “We face impossible decisions to meet the greatest demand we’ve ever seen”

If we starve the funds for the UN, we starve the hopes of millions of refugees.

Echos from the field

Thu 28/03/2024 - 17:18

From complete beginners to award winners, celebrating 1 year of WRFGS

As the number of forcibly displaced people is continuously on the rise, we have to think of innovative ways to raise funds and help support them. That is why one year ago, we initiated a collaboration with the Cardano Foundation by launching WRFGS.

UNHCR

Thu 21/03/2024 - 09:24