UNHCR, the UN System and other International Organizations


The responsibility for refugees within the UN system lies with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which is mandated to co-ordinate the world body's response to refugees and their problems.

Within the UN, the agency fulfils its mandate through frequent co-operation with specialised agencies, including The World Food Programme, The UN Children's Fund, and The World Health Organisation. UNHCR also works closely with The Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UN Development Programme, which includes the UN Volunteers, the UN Development Fund and the International Labour Organisation.

UNHCR collaborates with the UN Population Fund on reproductive health issues and with The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation on education projects.

International organisations with which UNHCR has developed a close working relationship include the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the International Organisation for Migration.

In the areas of post conflict reconstruction and the return and reintegration of refugee populations there is growing co-operation with the World Bank as well as with regional development banks and funds.

UNHCR works with bilateral government development partners such as BMZ (Germany), Danida (Denmark), JICA (Japan) and SDC (Switzerland). A number of other inter-governmental organisations have become operational partners with UNHCR in specific regions, such as the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and The African Union.