UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Published purpose

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The Agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action for the protection of refugees and resolution of refugee problems worldwide. The Agency is working to protect and assist refugees, internally displaced persons and those who are stateless, while searching for lasting solutions to their plight. Main activities include: providing shelter, clothing and other essential non-food items to people of concern; providing adequate sanitation services; working with governments to register asylum seekers and refugees and to help issue identity documents; working to uphold the social and economic standing of persons of concern; and working with governments to support refugee self-reliance and forge peaceful relations between refugees and local citizens. With CIDA support, UNHCR's 2013 operations in Asia, Central Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and West Africa are providing protection and assistance to 14.9 million displaced people affected by conflict.