UNHCR, Why We Exist

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 130 different countries supplying refugees and displaced people with shelter, food, education, clean water and the essentials they need to survive.

In 2023 we delivered 57,000 tents, 2.5 million blankets and 1.3 million sleeping mats to keep families safe.

120+

million people displaced in the world

40%

of uprooted people in the world are children

75%

are hosted in low-and-middle-income countries

137

countries with a UNHCR presence

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

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What We Do

In a crisis, we’re the first to arrive and the last to leave

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.

Economic Inclusion

UNHCR helps find durable solutions for displaced people.

Nutrition

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

Latest News

Read our latest articles and testimonials

Climate change, displacement, and refugees: Less talk and more action needed

Climate change is having a particular impact on people forced to flee their homes. Find out more about the major challenges linking climate and displacement from Andrew Harper, UNHCR's Special Adviser on Climate Action.

Standing with Refugees

Wed 20/11/2024 - 09:43

Top 5 Video Games : Understand refugees’ journeys in an interactive way

Standing with Refugees

Fri 15/11/2024 - 09:07

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

Zurich Film Festival: Focus on Sudan

As a charity partner of the Zurich Film Festival (ZFF), we had the privilege of hosting a panel discussion on 10 October 2024. The discussion took place immediately after the screening of the documentary “Sudan – Remember Us” by French director Hind Medde

Event

Tue 22/10/2024 - 15:02

Global Art, Global Impact: Artists Unite for UNHCR in Bridging Worlds Digital Auction

Switzerland for UNHCR is excited to announce Bridging Worlds: Digital Art Beyond Borders, our upcoming digital art sale on Christie’s 3.0 platform.

Innovation

Thu 17/10/2024 - 11:36

From Aleppo to Burgdorf: ‘Cycling was like therapy for me’

The world's best cyclists competed for a place on the podium in various disciplines. Among them was Ahmad Badreddin Wais. The 33-year-old is part of the UCI's refugee team. The fact that he can now compete with the best in individual time trials and road

Refugee Portraits

Mon 07/10/2024 - 18:17

UNHCR’s emergency response: “Success means bringing people to safety”

A conflict breaks out and suddenly people have to leave their homes head over heels. We are experiencing this again with the airstrikes in Lebanon. More than 200.000 people are looking for a safe place to stay within Lebanon, 100.000 already crossed the b

Echos from the field

Mon 30/09/2024 - 14:46

Emergencies

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

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

Since the start of the conflict in Sudan on 15 April 2023, millions of people have been forced 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.