UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Published purpose

In the Middle East, there are 5.1 million persons of concern to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and a further 130,000 in North Africa. This includes 1.8 million refugees, 2 million internally displaced persons, 700,000 returnees, and 588,000 stateless persons. The humanitarian focus in the Middle East is currently on the massive displacement of Iraqis. Elsewhere in the region, UNHCR continues to strengthen its national partners, and encourages States to play a bigger role in UNHCR's governance mechanisms and operations. In Yemen, the arrival of mixed groups of migrants and asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa by sea remains a key concern. Similarly, in North Africa, the number of asylum seekers mixed with economic migrants from sub-Saharan Africa transiting to Europe challenges options for response in protection-sensitive ways. Finally, UNHCR also provides ongoing support to the Sahrawi refugees currently located in camps in the Tindouf region in Algeria. In 2008, UNHCR works towards providing protection to refugees and others of concern, identifying and implementing comprehensive solutions for refugees and supporting state and civil-society institutions dealing with refugee issues. Statelessness also continues to be a concern in this region; UNCHR continues to monitor those affected and advocate for the resolution of their cases.