About UNHCR

We’re a lifeline for displaced communities forced to flee violence, persecution and conflict.​

Photo: © UNHCR

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), also known as the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

UNHCR works to ensure that everyone who has fled violence, war, disaster or persecution at home has the right to seek asylum and find refuge.

We provide shelter, food, water, medical care and other life-saving assistance to refugees around the world. 

The dream of most refugees is to return home. When possible, UNHCR helps refugees make this dream a reality. When refugees can’t go back home, we work to find solutions for them to rebuild their lives in another country. Since its formation by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1950, UNHCR has helped millions of refugees and displaced persons and has twice received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Today, UNHCR’s committed staff of over 20,000 people work in 135+ countries and territories – saving and protecting the lives of millions of refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, and finding solutions to help them build better futures.

Learn about the work of UNHCR in Canada.

unhcr helping political, climate and environmental refugees

Who we help

We help people, including refugees, displaced persons and asylum-seekers, whose lives have been turned upside down by crisis. Whenever and wherever people are uprooted by conflict, UNHCR is there offering life-saving assistance and protection.

unhcr providing emergency humanitarian aid

Emergencies

UNHCR works with refugee and displaced populations who have fled violence, conflict and persecution. Learn more about the countries where we are currently working around the world.

emergency medical aid for refugees around the world

Latest news

Our newsroom aims to bring you important information from around the world, including breaking news from Canada and around the world, stories, photos and videos. 

Our story

Stay alert and report fraudsters who are offering you resettlement, financial or other kinds of assistance, fake documents or fake claims in exchange for money or other favours. All UNHCR services are free of charge. Do not trust anyone or any organization asking you to pay for the services of UNHCR or its partners. 

Stay Informed
Get the latest news on refugee emergencies and our work in Canada.

Pin It on Pinterest