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Protecting the world's vulnerable people
The protection of 32.9 million uprooted people is the core mandate of UNHCR. The agency does this in several ways. Using the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention as its major tool, it ensures the basic human rights of vulnerable persons and that refugees will not be returned involuntarily to a country where they face persecution. Longer term, the organization helps civilians repatriate to their homeland, integrate in countries of asylum or resettle in third countries. Using a world wide field network, it also seeks to provide at least a minimum of shelter, food, water and medical care in the immediate aftermath of any refugee exodus.
The protection of 32.9 million uprooted people is the core mandate of UNHCR. The agency does this in several ways. Using the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention as its major tool, it ensures the basic human rights of vulnerable persons and that refugees will not be returned involuntarily to a country where they face persecution. Longer term, the organization helps civilians repatriate to their homeland, integrate in countries of asylum or resettle in third countries. Using a world wide field network, it also seeks to provide at least a minimum of shelter, food, water and medical care in the immediate aftermath of any refugee exodus.
Legal Protection
Through an extensive body of international law and treaties and 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.
Global Operations
Giving fleeing civilians emergency food, shelter and other material assistance is often the first step toward their long term protection and rehabilitation.
Statements by the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection and Director of the Division of International Protection Services
All speeches since 1998, dealing with a range of protection issues.
Measuring Protection by NumbersA pilot report from UNHCR aimed at presenting the protection function from a quantitative perspective, in a reader friendly format accessible to non-experts. Hard-copies can be ordered from HQMPBN. [PDF, 38pp., 2.72Mb]
A Community-based Approach in UNHCR OperationsFirst edition, January 2008
UNHCR Tool for Participatory Assessment in Operations
Refugee Protection and International Migration
This web page contains a wealth of information regarding those aspects of international migration which are of particular concern and interest to UNHCR.
Strengthening Protection Capacity (SPC) Project
The Strengthening Protection Capacity Project (SPCP) develops tools and strategies to strengthen the capacity of states to receive and protect refugees. This includes improving refugees' access to fundamental rights, enhancing refugees' means of self reliance and expanding opportunities for durable solutions.
UNHCR comments on European Union asylum law and policy
For additional information, see UNHCR commentaries in the RefWorld research databases.
(Visit UNHCR's French language website here for UNHCR observations in French.)
Canada - United States "Safe Third Country" Agreement
UNHCR Monitoring Report,
29 December 2004 - 28 December 2005
(Visit UNHCR's French language website here for the text of the Monitoring Report in French.)
Protecting refugees and the role of UNHCRAnswers to some of the most commonly asked questions about refugees themselves and how the agency attempts to help them. (pdf, 3Mb)
Agenda for ProtectionA framework for global refugee policy, with suggested activities to strengthen refugee protection.
Legal and Protection Policy Research
Protection
Publications
UNHCR legal handbooks and guidelines covering refugee protection issues.
Convention Plus
International initiative aimed at improving refugee protection worldwide and to facilitate the resolution of refugee problems through multilateral special agreements.