Belarus

UNHCR has been present in Belarus since 1995, supporting people fleeing conflict and persecution from countries including Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Georgia, Iraq, and beyond. The Office works closely with the Government and national partners to strengthen protection for refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons, while also promoting long-term solutions, integration, and legal reform.

In 2024, Belarus recorded 2,255 new asylum applications - the second highest annual number since the national refugee status determination procedure was introduced, with 93% submitted by Ukrainian nationals. This marked a significant increase compared to earlier years.

Most Ukrainian arrivals entered Belarus via the EU, while non-Ukrainians arrived through the Russian Federation, often as part of mixed migration movements.

Despite being party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, Belarus's asylum system faced growing pressure in 2024, with delays of up to 4.5 months for registration due to limited state processing capacity. UNHCR continued close engagement with the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Department of Citizenship and Migration to ensure access to procedures, especially for non-Ukrainian applicants.

UNHCR’s role in Belarus includes building national capacity to improve asylum space, supporting social cohesion and tolerance, advocating for legal reform, and promoting refugee integration through access to education and employment. In 2024, the suspension of cooperation with the Belarusian Red Cross led UNHCR to implement cash-based assistance and legal aid programming directly through a dedicated partner.