Denmark as a Donor

UNHCR works to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled conflict, violence, or persecution at home.

UNHCR is almost entirely funded by voluntary contributions. Denmark is a reliable donor to UNHCR and has provided UNHCR with strong support for innovations and solutions, including our Rwanda Emergency Transit Mechanism and our information-sharing project, Telling the Real Story.

For more detailed information on Denmark, visit our donor pages.

Danish Contributions to UNHCR

In 2017, Denmark signed a five-year agreement with UNHCR, committing to continue providing flexible funding and providing support to innovative solutions.

Denmark has consistently been a top donor to UNHCR. In 2020, it was the 6th biggest donor and the second largest donor per capita.

Key facts about Denmark as a UNHCR donor

During the Global Refugee Forum, Denmark pledged DKK 50 million per year in 2020 and 2021 for UNHCR’s development of innovative solutions.
Denmark contributes DKK 50 million to UNHCR’s Emergency Reserve Fund at the start of every year.
In 2020, Denmark contributed a total of USD 101 million to UNHCR, of which USD 34.6 million was unearmarked.
Denmark also contributed USD 14.6 million to UNHCR’s coronavirus emergency response in 2020.
Denmark’s thematic focus areas: Solutions and Innovation.

For more information on Danish and Nordic and Baltic funding, follow us on Twitter.

Denmark's contributions to UNHCR by country in 2020

Visit our reporting pages to see more contribution data from Denmark.

Opening doors to higher education

Denmark supports refugee education

Danish funds ensure much needed aid to Central African refugees

Apr 13, 2021

A contribution from Denmark helps UNHCR strengthen the response to the deteriorating situation in the Central African Republic, forcing thousands to flee their homes.

Nordic and Baltic countries pledge important support for refugee education

Feb 4, 2021

From the Global Refugee Forum: Learn more about some of the Nordic and Baltic commitments aimed at enabling more refugees to go to school.

Ethiopians fleeing to Sudan receive Danish support

Jan 18, 2021

As conflict continues in Ethiopia’s Tigray, over 50,000 have fled to Sudan in search for refuge. Funding from Denmark allows UNHCR to quickly respond to the deteriorating situation.

Danish funding helps UNHCR respond to new influx of refugees into Uganda

Aug 20, 2020

A contribution from Denmark helps UNHCR strengthen the response to urgent influx of refugees in Uganda, already hosting 1.4 million refugees.

UNHCR thanks Denmark for substantial support to help protect the world’s refugees from the threat of coronavirus

Apr 24, 2020

While Europe at large is dramatically impacted by COVID-19, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes Denmark’s very significant contribution of DKK 100 M (14.8 M USD) to support UNHCR’s COVID-19 appeal to protect refugees and their host communities around the world from the threat of the pandemic. This places Denmark […]

“We are physically in exile, but our brains are not”

Jan 17, 2020

After being forced to flee his home country and loosing family members, returning to university gave Nixon Raphael back his hope for the future. He has received a scholarship with support from UNHCR and contributions from Denmark.