UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Published purpose

UNHCR is mandated (i) to provide international protection to refugees and other persons of concern and to search for durable solutions to their situation; (ii) to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance and promote a better quality of life and self-reliance through a community development approach, while preparing populations of concern for a durable solution; and (iii) to advocate for refugee rights, promote effective partnerships, and develop diplomatic initiatives aimed at preventing and mitigating the conditions that cause refugee movement. In 2007, more than 32.8 million people were of concern to UNHCR, including some 9.9 million refugees, 744,000 asylum-seekers, 12.8 million internally displaced persons, 2.6 million returnees and 5.8 million stateless persons.