A team of international experts has undertaken a worldwide review of UNHCR's efforts to protect refugee children
Learn about WLL; what we do, how we work and how to join us.
Published October 2008
Frequently asked questions about IDPs. [pdf, 1.3Mb]
A Dialogue that examined the challenges of protecting refugees and mixed migratory flows.
United Nations Development Fund for Women: Working for Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality.
Link to this valuable collection of practical tools, policies and research materials on gender and humanitarian action compiled by UN agencies and non-governmental organisations.
Links to UN and NGO websites and documents illustrating the role of women in conflict and peacebuilding.
Links to websites and documents on gender maintreaming
The guiding principles seek to ensure that all actions and decisions taken concerning separated children are anchored in a protection framework and respect the principles of family unity and the best interests of the child.
Read more about the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention in July 2001, and its continuing relevance.
Read more about internally displaced persons in Refworld.
The treaty was 50 years old in July 2001. Despite growing controversy about its usefulness, the Convention continues to be the key document in the agency's efforts today to help around 34 million uprooted persons.
"A Practical Guide to Empowerment" – UNHCR series produced by the Refugee Women/Gender Equality Unit to demonstrate and disseminate successful gender mainstreaming practices.
Special news editorial from UNHCR
The key document to refugee protection plus the text of the Protocol, which removed a deadline and geographical restrictions from the Convention.
Education is a fundamental right of the child, one that is vital in restoring hope and dignity.
The international community reaffirms its commitment to the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Published February 2009 [pdf, 2.3Mb]
UNHCR's decision-support tool for country of origin research and refugee status decisions.
A special UN meeting to review a decade of work in helping the world's victimised children and discuss future projects was held May 8-10 2002. The outcome document, 'A World Fit for Children' outlines a strong focused agenda for the present decade.
The divergent perspectives of children and adults regarding violence against children in refugee settlements in western Uganda (pdf, 4.9Mb)
The UN Secretary-General's Study on Violence against Children was a global effort to paint a detailed picture of the nature, extent and causes of violence against children, and to propose clear recommendations for action to prevent and respond to it.
Statement by Ms. Erika Feller, Director of the Department of International Protection, to the 52nd Session of the Executive Committee.
Special issue on the 50th anniversary of the Refugee Convention
Held in Geneva, 27-29 March 2001
UNHCR's leadership role in Protection, Emergency Shelter, and Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM).
(External link)
An essential companion for those involved in EU migration and asylum issues.
Summaries of UNHCR's programme goals, objectives and priorities for each of its country operations.
A study of the implementation of the qualification directive, published November 2007
Held in Geneva, 20-22 June 2001
More useful information on IDPs.
Illustrated report on the 10 December, 2007 meeting.
Targeted initiatives to empower women in post-conflict societies
A report on participatory assessments carried out with refugee and returnee children in Southern Africa, 2005-2007.
The key document on refugee protection in full, plus the text of the Protocol
Countries which have acceded to the treaty.
Introduction, general, the basic principle: mainstreaming/integration, organizational goals, policy objectives, operational objectives.
A mechanism to enhance partnership between UNHCR, Governments and NGOs
A brochure on the benefits to governments of accession to the Refugee Convention.
A brochure on steps needed for a government to sign on to the Refugee Convention.
Tools and strategies to strengthen the capacity of states to receive and protect refugees. This project is now active across five continents.
UNHCR has developed a network of suppliers, specialists and partners to protect civilians.
This brochure is designed for young readers.
Published by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), September 2005
Read about the ARC resource pack on the Save the Children website.
A series of legal research and protection policy papers issued by the UNHCR Division of International Protection.
Addressing the specific needs of internally displaced persons worldwide by identifying rights and guarantees relevant to their protection.
Edited by Erika Feller, Volker Türk and Frances Nicholson, published 2003 by Cambridge University Press
The protection of millions of uprooted or stateless people is UNHCR's core mandate.
By working with governments and other organizations on subjects ranging from promoting asylum systems to refugee advocacy, UNHCR promotes the legal protection of refugees and durable solutions.
Two-day international discussion focuses on problems faced by the increasing numbers of displaced in cities and towns.
Two-day international discussion focuses on protection gaps and responses.
Related Internet Links
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Women in Exile
In any displaced population, approximately 50 percent of the uprooted people are women and girls. Stripped of the protection of their homes, their government and sometimes their family structure, females are particularly vulnerable. They face the rigours of long journeys into exile, official harassment or indifference and frequent sexual abuse, even after reaching an apparent place of safety. Women must cope with these threats while being nurse, teacher, breadwinner and physical protector of their families. In the last few years, UNHCR has developed a series of special programmes to ensure women have equal access to protection, basic goods and services as they attempt to rebuild their lives.
On International Women's Day UNHCR highlights, through images from around the world, the difficulties faced by displaced women, along with their strength and resilience.
Women in Exile
International Women's Day
More than 70 per cent of all refugees are women and children. Stripped of the protection of their homes, their government and often their family structure, females are particularly vulnerable. They face the rigours of long journeys into exile, official harassment or indifference and frequent sexual abuse. International Women's Day provides us with an opportunity to honour the resilience and strength of these women.
International Women's Day
Destruction and Displacement in Darfur, Sudan
An estimated one million people have been displaced within Sudan's western region of Darfur by fighting that erupted in early 2003. Militia have reportedly killed and raped villagers and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes in Darfur.
Many of the displaced people are living in squalid, makeshift encampments, where they continue to fear attacks by marauding militia.
UNHCR became operational in Darfur in June 2004 following a request from the UN country team for the refugee agency to share its expertise in protection, camp management and site planning. UNHCR has opened offices in Nyala and El Geneina and plans to establish a presence in El Fasher. UNHCR teams have begun evaluating existing camps for displaced persons to improve the layout and design and have begun training governmental camp managers in protection and the rights of displaced people.
Destruction and Displacement in Darfur, Sudan
Kenya: In Need of Protection
The legacy of Sudan's civil war haunts many refugees. In Kakuma camp some need special protection to ensure their safety.
Mexico: Fleeing Central American Gang Violence
Tens of thousands of people make their way to Mexico on mixed migration routes every year. They include victims of gang violence who need protection.
Courage: 60 Years of the UN Refugee Convention
A two-minute documentary that reminds us why the 1951 Convention is so important in giving protection to those who've fled war and persecution around the world. Courtesy of the Scottish Refugee Council
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