UNHCR, Why We Exist

Refugee families face impossible choices

There are over 120 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. 

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.  

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

Read our latest articles and testimonials

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
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
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
Zurich Film Festival: We take a close look at Sudan
Soon the green carpet will be rolled out again in the city of Zurich and golden eyes will be looking at you everywhere. The Zurich Film Festival ZFF is about to start! From 3rd to 13th October, international film stars will gathr around Sechseläutenplatz
Standing with Refugees
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.
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