Belgium

In 2021, Belgium counted 25,971 asylum applications, most of which were submitted by people from Afghanistan, Syria and Palestine. In the same year, 10,093 people were recognised as refugees or received subsidiary protection.

UNHCR’s work in Belgium focuses on supporting authorities and organisations working with refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons. We seek to ensure that legislation, procedures, policies, and practices align with international protection standards. In addition, UNHCR runs awareness campaigns targeted at the general public to shine a light on the situation of refugees in Belgium and around the globe.

The UNHCR office was established in Brussels in 1952 - only one year after the Refugee Convention came into force.