UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Published purpose

March 2014 - The Asia-Pacific region is home to approximately 9.5 million refugees, internally displaced people, recent returnees and people without citizenship, who live in conditions of deep deprivation and physical peril. Armed conflict, internal displacement, food insecurity, natural disasters and state-sponsored repression have all contributed to a number of complex emergencies. There are more natural disasters in this region than in any other part of the world, and more people in this region are killed or affected by natural disasters than anywhere else. With the support of DFATD and other donors, UNHCR will contribute to the provision of basic services and protection for (non-Afghans) refugees, displaced people and other vulnerable groups in the Asia-Pacific region. Activities include: (1) providing basic services and protection to up to 9.5 million “people of concern” (refugees, internally displaced people, recent returnees and stateless people); (2) working to safeguard the right to protection and asylum; (3) seeking solutions for long-term refugee situations in the region; and (4) ensuring that internally displaced people are protected and assisted.