UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 in the backdrop of a shattered world that was starting to rebuild after the Second World War. Tasked to find homes for Europe’s refugees for our very first mission, our work has continued to expand ever since.
In 1979, our Hong Kong office opened to assist the Vietnamese boat people seeking asylum. Farah Dang, a Vietnamese born in one of the camps here, was one such refugee we helped.
“Our family is grateful for the assistance from many charitable organizations and the UNHCR at that time, and the opportunity to have a new life!” says Farah, still feeling blessed whenever she recalled her 10 years living in Hong Kong before resettling to the United Kingdom. Farah returned to Hong Kong a few years ago and has been actively involved in refugee community work.
Laila (a pseudonym), a refugee from East Africa who also spent 6 years living in Hong Kong, concurs. “UNHCR gave us hope, respect and supported me in every aspect,” says Laila, who is now resettled in the US with her two young children.
Today, as we commemorate seven decades of standing with refugees, we’ve reached a major milestone. It couldn’t have happened without you.
Laila, A refugee from East Africa
About UNHCR:
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on 14 December 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee issues. It strives to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, with the option to voluntarily return home when conditions are conducive for return, integrate locally or resettle to a third country. UNHCR has twice won the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1954 for its ground-breaking work in helping the refugees of Europe, and in 1981 for its worldwide assistance to refugees.
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