Sierra Leonian refugees in Guinea taking part in an agricultural development programme © UNHCR/C.Schurph
Capacity-Building

Strengthening capacity, a core activity in the area of protection, seeks to help States meet their international legal obligations to protect refugees. Capacity building activities are geared towards strengthening national authorities, laws and policies to ensure the proper handling of refugee and asylum issues, the reception and care of refugees, the promotion of self-reliance of refugees and the realisation of durable solutions. But the task cannot be accomplished alone. It requires a partnership framework involving host and donor governments, humanitarian assistance and developmental agencies, civil society, including NGOs, together with refugees themselves.




Promoting refugee protection

UNHCR is engaged in a range of activities to promote the international refugee protection system, including refugee law.


A practical guide to capacity building
As a feature of UNHCR’s humanitarian programmes



Strengthening protection capacities

Global Consultations background paper: analysis, framework and best practices.




Rule of Law and Transitional Justice
Respect for the rule of law and human rights forms the essence of the protection of refugees, returnees and stateless persons. Many of UNHCR's activities are therefore focused on assisting in the strengthening of legal structures that would enhance the rule of law on behalf of persons of concern to UNHCR.


RSD Project
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on UNHCR’s Refugee Status Determination Project.



Training materials

Various training materials are available online.




RSD Handbook and Guidelines on International Protection
Handbook on Procedures and Criteria for Determining Refugee Status under the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, and UNHCR Guidelines complementing the Handbook.



Partnerships in protection

Learn more about how UNHCR co-operates with various partners in the field of protection.


International Institute of Humanitarian Law
UNHCR co-organizes trainings with this partner in San Remo, Italy. (external link)



United Nations Peacekeeping

One of UNHCR's training partners, the UN Department of Peace-Keeping Operations. (external link)


UNHCR e-Centre
UNHCR Regional Centre for Emergency Training in International Humanitarian Response. (external link)


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.)