Lao People's Democratic Republic
Lao People's Democratic Republic
UNHCR works with partners in the Lao People's Democratic Republic to ensure protection readiness and support regional efforts to end statelessness.
Are you a refugee, asylum-seeker or stateless person looking for help? Visit the HELP site to find support and services from UNHCR.
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic receives only a small number of international protection claims each year. As the country is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and lacks a national asylum framework, UNHCR assesses asylum claims under its Mandate, typically from its Bangkok Office. Individuals recognized as refugees do not have access to local solutions and rely on third-country solutions, including resettlement and complementary pathways.
In 2024, UNHCR provided targeted support, including emergency cash assistance, and continued its engagement with the UN Country Team to advance protection priorities through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. While the operational footprint remains limited, UNHCR’s presence in the Lao PDR supports ongoing regional efforts to end statelessness and ensures readiness to respond to protection needs as they arise.
The operations in Lao People's Democratic Republic are coordinated by the Thailand multi-country office.
Population and financial overview
Data on population and financials are available at the multi-country office level, which oversees operations across several countries.
Lao People's Democratic Republic
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