UNHCR, Why We Exist

No one chooses to be a refugee, but we can all choose to protect them.

There are over 122 million people in the world who have been forcibly displaced. Due to ongoing violence in countries like Ukraine and Sudan, that number continues to increase. 

One day can change everything. But one action can be all it takes to make a difference.  
When an emergency hits, UNHCR is one of the first on the ground providing life-saving support to those in need and we are one of the last to leave, after helping people build a better future. 

Our impact and reach is unmatched. We work in over 135 different countries supplying refugees and displaced people with shelter, food, education, clean water and the essentials they need to survive.

In 2024, we assisted 5.7 million people, we distributed 5.1 million relief items (worth CHF 41.2 million) with 91% of our workforce deployed in the field, keeping families safe.

122+
million people displaced in the world
41%
of refugees in the world are children
73%
are hosted in low-and-middle-income countries
135
countries with a UNHCR presence

We are often first in and last out during humanitarian emergencies.

We support refugees and displaced people at every stage of their journey, from the onset of a crisis to long after the emergency has passed.

Our work focuses on three key areas:

  1. Delivering life-saving assistance
  2. Advocating for the rights of people forced to flee
  3. Building sustainable futures

When crises happen, we provide immediate protection and support, including shelter, clean water, food, medical care, and help to reunite families. We defend the rights of people forced to flee by working to ensure they are protected by laws and policies that uphold their dignity. And we help them rebuild their lives by supporting access to education, livelihoods, and long-term solutions such as resettlement or voluntary return.

What We Do

We protect, support, and help rebuild the lives of people forced to flee.

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. 
Education
7.2 million refugee children did not go to school in 2023. UNHCR works to promote access to education among refugees and IDPs.
Nutrition
UNHCR works to ensure food security for those forced to flee their homes.
Do you stand with refugees?

Your support today is vital to ensure we’re able to continue to provide refugees and displaced people the support they need when they need it the most.

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Who does UNHCR protect

With more than 122 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, UNHCR protects those fleeing conflict and persecution, as well as people denied a nationality. 

  • A refugee is someone who has crossed an international border and cannot return due to a fear of conflict, violence, or persecution. 
  • Internally displaced people (IDPs) have been forced to flee their homes, however, unlike refugees, they remain in their own country. 
  • Asylum-seekers are individuals who are outside their homes seeking international protection, but their status has not yet been determined. 
  • Stateless individuals are not recognized as citizens by any country, meaning they lack nationality and cannot count on any country to ensure protection of their rights. 
  • Returnees are refugees returning home and reintegrating in their country of origin. 
Emergencies

When violence breaks out and disaster strikes, donor support allows UNHCR to move directly into action.

Within 72 hours, UNHCR can mobilize supplies for 1 million people and deploy expert staff to protect people forced to flee.

Emergency Lebanon
The devastating attacks in Lebanon are claiming innocent lives and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, including refugees in Lebanon. These people need urgent support.
Winter Emergency
This Winter, harsh temperatures affect millions of vulnerable people across the Middle East, Afghanistan and Ukraine.
Crisis in Sudan
Deadly conflict in Sudan has forced over 12 million people to flee their homes. 
The Syrian crisis
After 12 years of crisis, Syrians are still struggling to survive. More than half of the country’s population has fled since the beginning of the conflict. 
Ukraine Emergency
In Ukraine, the crisis has forced over 10 million people to flee their homes.
Horn of Africa emergency
The Horn of Africa region is experiencing the worst drought in over 40 years. Cattle are dehydrated and dying, crops are failing, leaving thousands of people with no choice but to flee their homes.
Humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
More than four decades of conflict have displaced millions of Afghans. Today, the situation has reached a new critical point. UNHCR is on the ground to provide life-saving assistance to the internally displaced, and to refugees in neighbouring countries.
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