United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - The UN refugee Agency

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly.

The United Nations assigned to UNHCR's mandate to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and to seek durable solutions to their problems. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees.

In efforts to meet its objective, UNHCR strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek and enjoy safe haven in another country and, if so desired, return to their country of origin.

To support the work of the UNHCR, its Executive Committee and the General Assembly of the United Nations authorize the organization to intervene on behalf of other groups of people, among which are: the stateless, people whose nationality is disputed, and people displaced within their own country. UNHCR seeks to reduce situations of forced displacement by encouraging countries and other institutions to create conditions conducive to the protection of human rights and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

UNHCR provides protection and assistance to persons under its mandate in an impartial manner, based on their need and irrespective of race, sex, religion or political opinion. Within all its activities, UNHCR pays particular attention to the needs of children and seeks to promote the equal rights of women.

The participation of refugees in decisions that reflect in their lives is an essential principle of action of UNHCR. In more than six decades, the agency has helped tens of millions of people restart their lives. Today, a staff of some 7,500 people in more than 125 countries continues to help some 34 million persons.

Antnio Guterres, a former Portuguese prime minister, became the 10th UN High Commissioner for Refugees on June 15, 2005, and was re-elected to a second five-year term in 2010. As High Commissioner, he heads one of the world's foremost humanitarian organizations. UNHCR has twice won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Every year, UNHCR holds several special events to recognize the lives of refugees and those who are dedicated to helping them, such as the World Refugee Day, held on June 20, and The Nansen Refugee Award, given out every year in October to a person or group for outstanding services in supporting refugee causes.

Finally, UNHCR also promotes the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter: maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.