Crises, whether they are man-made or natural disasters, cause immense suffering and uncertainties, not only because people affected must leave their homes, relatives, and livelihoods behind, but also because they lose their safety net. 

Governments usually guarantee the security and human rights of their citizens, but, sometimes, they are unable to, or become themselves perpetrators of violations. 

In times of crisis, we dispatch emergency equipment and deploy our highly skilled teams at a moment’s notice, anywhere they are needed. Often, our teams must manage multiple crises at the same time. Thanks to the commitment and dedication of our donors, we are able to launch large-scale operations in less than 72 hours, and to provide aid to up to 650,000 newly displaced people. 

UNHCR's teams are trained to work under pressure and cope with extremely difficult conditions. Together with its partners, the agency makes sure that refugees have what they need to survive: shelter, medical care, food and water. The most vulnerable populations, such as children and women, also receive special protection and attention, including through the provision of services to prevent and fight against sexual and gender-based violence.