The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an organisation committed to protecting and supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons worldwide. Operating in 135 countries with over 20 000 staff members, the UNHCR’s work is crucial and guided by principles of protection, response, inclusion, empowerment and resolution. It advocates for the rights of displaced and stateless people by working closely with governments and partners to strengthen laws and national systems. Their efforts ensure that displaced individuals can access crucial services such as documentation, education, employment, and healthcare. The UNHCR’s mission is to address the needs of the 117 million forcibly displaced people globally, responding to emergencies and empowering individuals to rebuild their lives. 

 

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During our visit to the UNHCR, we engaged in a profound conversation with José Andrés Egas Loaiza where he explained that the UNHCR’s mandate involves assisting the vast number of forcibly displaced individuals, of whom 43.4 million are refugees, with around 40% of them being children under the age of 18. 

 

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s mandate is to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge. With over 90% of their staff based in the field, they cover more than 135 countries through over 550 offices worldwide. Their work involves supporting governments to protect people forced to flee because of conflict and persecution at home. These people include refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), asylum-seekers, stateless people and returnees. To do this, they partner with the governments, civil society, academia, private sector, other UN agencies, local communities and forcibly displaced populations to carry out programmes and activities. 

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It is important to understand the distinction between these different groups. A refugee is someone who has fled their country because of persecution, war, or violence and has been officially recognized as legal protection. In fact, the legal definition of a refugee, as established by the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, focused on persecution based on specific grounds such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. As such, a refugee is someone who can demonstrate that they face serious harm or danger if they were to return to their home country, and their own government is either unable or unwilling to protect them. Significant portions of these refugees originate from countries like Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. Despite the enormity of the crisis, 75% of refugees are hosted by low- or middle-income countries, with 63% residing in neighbouring countries, highlighting the global inequality in refugee support and burden-sharing. 

 

In contrast, asylum seekers are individuals who have left their home country and are seeking protection in another country but have not yet been legally recognized as refugees. The distinction lies in the legal status and circumstances. While both groups are seeking safety, refugees have already been granted protection, whereas asylum seekers are still waiting for their claims to be assessed. 

 

Beyond these groups, there are internally displaced persons (IDPs), who have been forced to leave their home due to conflict, persecution, or disasters, without having crossed an international border and remaining within their own country. Thus, their protection falls under the responsibility of their national government. 

 

Statelessness represents another significant challenge. Statelessness refers to the condition of being without nationality or recognized citizenship inter any country’s laws. Stateless individuals encounter substantial difficulties in accessing fundamental rights such as education, healthcare, employment, property ownership, and marital rights. They often live on society’s fringes, lacking the legal identity, recognition and protections afforded and enjoyed to citizens and recognized refugees. 

 

For refugees, the UNHCR offers protection, including legal assistance and advocacy for their rights under international law. Asylum seekers benefit from the UNHCR’s support in navigating the asylum process, ensuring their claims are properly assessed and advocating for fair treatment. Additionally, for internally displaced persons (IDPs), the UNHCR prioritizes measures to prevent, address, and mitigate their most urgent protection risks and needs, including protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, gender-based violence, and ensuring child protection. Furthermore, the UNHCR works to prevent and reduce statelessness by promoting nationality laws that prevent arbitrary deprivation of citizenship and assisting stateless individuals in accessing documentation and basic rights. 

 

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Delving into how the UNHCR supports refugees in terms of legal assistance and protection, José explained that UNHCR works to improve laws, regulations, policies and practices to ensure displaced and stateless people are treated fairly and are able to access rights with dignity. This includes advocating for the right to seek safety, access to healthcare, and the right to nationality. 

 

He emphasized that citizens normally look to their own governments to guarantee their human rights and physical security. When people are forced to flee, it is often because they can no longer rely on their government to protect them – or because their own government is persecuting them. They can be deprived of their fundamental rights in their homeland, during their flight to safety and while displaced from home. 

 

Elaborating on the protection offered, UNHCR’s activities include: 

• Promoting accession to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness

• Assisting States to enact or revise national refugee legislation, including administrative instructions and operational guidelines, and to implement national refugee status determination procedures. 

• Strengthening relevant administrative and judicial instructions, training staff of government and non-governmental agencies, and liaising with relevant human rights bodies. 

 

Moreover, UNHCR is also involved in: 

• Research and advice on new laws and regulations affecting people of concern

• Technical and financial support for law schools, governmental agencies (including the police and the military) and other institutes to develop refugee law courses 

• Support for human rights and refugee rights advocacy groups, legal aid centres and non-governmental organizations with an interest in refugee protection. 

 

Security is a paramount concern for the UNHCR, especially in volatile regions. No one plans to become a refugee. Often people flee with little more than the clothes they are wearing and the few belongings they can carry in their arms. 

 

Regarding direct-aid people get, when people are forced to flee their homes to escape war, persecution or violence, the registration and documentation by States or by UNHCR is a key first step in ensuring their protection. Starting from there, UNHCR and partners seek to provide at least a minimum of shelter, food, water and medical care in the immediate aftermath of any refugee exodus. 

Examples of this are the provision of safe and suitable shelter including the delivery of life-saving tents, plastic sheeting and bedding so people exhausted from a long and often dangerous journey can sleep indoors, where they feel safer and are protected from harsh weather. Another example is, where appropriate, the provision of cash transfers or vouchers so displaced people can buy food, goods and services in the same way as the local community. 

 

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When a crisis unfolds, UNHCR and its partners mobilize rapidly to address urgent needs, within the critical first 72 hours. They strive to protect people from harm and ensure they can reach safety. However, it is not without its major challenges. This rapid response necessitates the swift mobilization of UNHCR’s and partner organizations’ personnel locally, regionally, and globally. 

 

Ensuring the timely provisions and delivery of life-saving supplies presents a critical challenge but is crucial. These supplies are sourced from their global stockpiles, ready in warehouses around the world, to where people need them most. They also transfer funds from their emergency reserves directly to their local teams so they can set up shelters, buy food and register people who need their help.  

 

Additionally, deploying crisis response experts is imperative. They immediately mobilize their humanitarian response staff, who are trained in managing crisis situations and specialize in key areas like shelter, health care, water and sanitation, and tackling sexual exploitation. These experts are ready to act immediately and drop everything to be on the grounds within 72 hours to provide the essential assistance. 

 

Furthermore, negotiating access with governments and local actors to facilitate services like registration, documentation, and safe spaces poses significant logistical and diplomatic hurdles during these critical moments of response. 

 

Moreover, ensuring people can reach safety is vital. UNHCR teams work tirelessly to protect individuals forced to flee from harm and ensure they can reach safe areas. They may be out, operating around the clock to ensure refugees are not pushed back to where their lives would be at risk or in danger. They prioritize providing safe sleeping accommodations, shielded from the elements and distant from the potential threats, ensuring the safety and well-being of those needing assistance. 

 

José emphasizes that it is really important to remember that an emergency response extends beyond meeting basic and immediate needs. From the outset of any emergency and crisis, collaborative efforts with partners, governments, and local communities are essential. The aim is also to help that those forcibly displaced from their homes access healthcare, education, and employment opportunities as part of long-term assistance efforts. 

  

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We also asked José to address how the UNHCR collaborates with local NGOs and governments to enhance its impact on the ground. He highlighted that their partnerships range from governments to non-governmental organizations, the private sector, civil society and refugee communities. These collaborations are instrumental in raising funds through governments, foundations and private donors. This financial support ensures immediate assistance with food, shelter and other essentials, distributed by UNHCR’s implementing partners. Achieving longer-term solutions hinges on active involvement from civil society and the refugees themselves, emphasizing sustainable support and empowerment within displaced communities. 

 

In discussing UNHCR’s approach, it was mentioned that while the organization maintains a primary focus on refugee protection, its overarching mission includes providing operational support and fostering coordination among a wide array of private and public stakeholders committed to refugee welfare. Emphasizing continuous improvements in collaborations, UNHCR places particular importance on empowering national partners to act as primary responders in emergency situations. 

 

To achieve this goal, UNHCR values and maintains an extensive network of strategic partnerships with more than 900 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), delegating approximately 40% of its annual expenditure to these partners. This financial support enables NGOs to implement programs and projects aimed at providing essential protection and sustainable solutions for forcibly displaced populations. 

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The work of the UNHCR, embodied by individuals like José, underscores the critical importance of global solidarity and support in addressing one of the most pressing humanitarian crises of our time.

 

This year, for the 12th consecutive year the number of refugees and displaced people has increased: jumping from 114 million to 120 million by May 2024, equivalent to around the size of Japan’s population. As highlighted by the Hight Commissioner (HC) for Refugees, Filip Grandi, behind these numbers lie as many human tragedies, which only solidarity and concerted action can alleviate and solve. 

 

Due to this unfortunate reality, UNHCR’s mandate has never been more vital. It must continue to protect, secure, and defend the rights of people of concern to the UNHCR – refugees and asylum-seekers, returnees, internally displaced people (IDP), and stateless persons. Rapid and effective emergency responses remain crucial, alongside efforts to promote inclusion and self-reliance, as well as empowerment among displaced populations to determine and build their futures. Moreover, UNHCR is committed to pursuing sustainable solutions to address the consequences of displacement and problems of statelessness. 

 

As mentioned by the Hight Commissioner, Filip Grandi, it is high time for warring parties to respect the basic laws of war and international law. In the face of increasing global displacements, the evolving role of UNHCR necessitates strengthened cooperation with governments, NGOs, civil society, and the private sector. Without better cooperation and concerted efforts to address conflict, human rights violations and the climate crisis, displacement figures will keep rising, bringing fresh misery and costly humanitarian responses. Refugees – and the communities hosting them – need solidarity and a helping hand. They can and do contribute to societies when they are included.

 

According to José, in his personal opinion, the return of millions of people to their homes last year represents an important glimmer of hope. He believes that while solutions are out there and exist, achieving them requires real commitment. 

 

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As a result, we inquired about how individuals and communities can best support refugees and the work of the UNHCR. José states that there are many ways to support refugees and the work of UNHCR. Every voice, helping hand, social media share or signature matters. 

 

By standing with UNHCR and getting involved in refugee issues, anyone can make a difference, whether it’s raising awareness in your community about a refugee crisis, helping a displaced student attend university, or advocating for States to uphold refugee rights. Additionally, through donations, refugees are provided with ongoing relief and protection as well as helping them regain hope for a better future. 

 

Together we can make a more welcoming world for people forces to flee. 

 

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Finally, reflecting on the future, we ponder on the role of the UNHCR evolving in response to emerging global challenges. Given the abysmal challenges facing 120 million forcibly displaces people, UNHCR must remain steadfast in its commitment to developing innovative solutions to assist those who have been forced to flee their homes, regardless of their location. 

 

The need for UNHCR to ensure a rapid response to global emergencies is more critical than ever. Over the past year, several regions have experienced significant upheaval, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of displaced individuals. 

• The devastating conflict in Sudan has significantly contributed to the increase in displaced individuals, with 10.8 million Sudanese uprooted by the end of 2023. 

• In the Democratic Republic of Congo and Myanmar, millions were internally displaced due to the vicious fighting. 

• The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that by the end of last year, approximately 1.7 million people (75 percent of the population) in the Gaza Strip were displaced by catastrophic violence, most of whom were Palestine refugees. 

• Syria continues to represent the world’s largest displacement crisis, with 13.8 million forcibly displaced both within and outside the country.

• In the Americas, over 550 000 people from various nationalities crossed the Darien (Panama-Colombia border) in 2023 alone. 

 

Thus, protection is more relevant than ever before, including advocating for the rights of people forced to flee and those denied a nationality, and safeguarding individuals and their specific age, gender, social or legal status, disability and other characteristics which exacerbate inequality and limit integration opportunities. 

 

Refugees and forcibly displaced people often flee conflict and prosecution using the same routes and means of transport as other people on the move, such as migrants. Facing similar rights violations and dangers during their journeys, UNHCR must further engage with broader mixed-migration issues that impact refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless people, alongside migrants and others on the move. 

 

Moreover, climate change and displacement are increasingly interconnected and linked. As extreme weather events and environmental conditions worsen with global heating, they contribute to multiple overlapping crises. These crises threaten human rights, increase poverty, reduce livelihoods, strain peaceful relations between communities, and ultimately create conditions that lead to further forced displacement. 

 

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In conclusion, our conversation with José provided invaluable insights into the dedication and resilience of humanitarian work. It highlighted the profound impact organizations like UNHCR have on displaced individuals globally. As we consider how to support these efforts and anticipate future directions, it becomes clear that our collective involvement and commitment are crucial. By understanding and addressing the needs of refugees and supporting the evolving mission of the UNHCR, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and compassionate world for all.