About UNHCR

A UNHCR staff member helps refugees board a ferry that will take them home to Côte d'Ivoire.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

About UNHCR

UNHCR leads international action to protect people forced to flee conflict and persecution and those denied a nationality.

Are you a refugee, asylum-seeker or stateless person looking for help? Visit the HELP site to find support and services from UNHCR.

Visit HELP site

In this section:

UNHCR in Africa

The High Commissioner

History of UNHCR

Figures at a glance

Accountability and governance

Global Compact on Refugees

Sustainable Development Goals

75 years

For 75 years UNHCR has been safeguarding the rights of refugees.

128 countries

UNHCR is the world’s leading organization protecting people forced to flee, operating in 128 countries.

121 million people

UNHCR protects or assists 121 million forcibly displaced and stateless people.

UNHCR mandate and governing charters

Aerial view of people walking on a wide dirt road between dense greenery.

Beyond Borders: UNHCR’s transformation