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.
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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
Read more about the impact of Denmark’s contributions
Danish emergency funding to UNHCR assists 160,000 South Sudanese refugees in Sudan
Sudan is one of the largest emergencies in Africa today. Nearly 160,000 South Sudanese refugees have arrived in Sudan in the first half of 2017.
Danish emergency funding to UNHCR boost lifesaving support for 30,000 DRC refugees in Angola
In northern Angola, 300-500 refugees arrive on a daily basis fleeing violent attacks in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The conflict has so far displaced 1.3 million civilians, with over 30,000 Congolese arriving in desperate conditions to find refuge in neighbouring Angola.
Denmark’s emergency funding saves lives in Iraq and Tanzania
UNHCR has released USD 2 million from Denmark’s Emergency Reserve Fund to provide immediate help to people who have been forced to flee their homes in Iraq and Burundi. The grants from this fund will provide men, women and children who have abandoned everything with access to basic services and core relief items.
Denmark funds emergency response for South Sudanese refugees in Uganda with 2 million USD.
UNHCR is using USD 2 million from Denmark’s emergency fund to be able to respond immediately to the urgent needs of the displaced South Sudanese.
Denmark funds emergency response for the recent displacement crisis in Diffa, Niger
In 2015, the Lake Chad basin region witnessed increasing waves of violence followed by massive displacement. The Boko Haram group expanded its insurgency from north-eastern Nigeria to neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Niger, killing civilians and uprooting more than 2.7 million people. Since mid-march 2016, the situation in Niger has deteriorated significantly, leading to further displacements and urgent protection and humanitarian needs.
Denmark funds protracted refugee crises in Africa at risk of being forgotten
UNHCR’s annual meeting of its executive committee, bringing together 140 states, came to a close Friday 9 October. Much attention was focused on the Afghan situation, and the world’s largest humanitarian crisis unfolding in Syria leading to refugees arriving in the thousands in Europe. However, the High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, also urged donor countries not to forget the needs of the millions of people displaced from protracted crises creating refugee emergencies in several regions of Africa.
