Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, leads and coordinates international action to protect people forced to flee violence, persecution or war. Its mandate covers refugees, returnees, internally displaced people and stateless people, and includes ensuring that those forced to flee can seek asylum and find safe refuge. The organisation's work spans humanitarian aid, refugee protection and issues of forced displacement and statelessness.

Three areas of activity define much of UNHCR's work. Emergency aid and protection provides immediate life-saving support and protection for people fleeing violence, persecution or war. Human rights safeguarding protects the rights of refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Solutions support works with partners on voluntary repatriation, resettlement and integration, with the aim of helping displaced people find a place to call home.

UNHCR describes itself as a mission-driven organisation focused on saving lives, protecting rights and helping build a better future for refugees and displaced people. It works collaboratively, delivering its programmes and solutions together with partners.