The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was created in 1950, during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes. They had three years to complete their work and then disband. Today, over 68 years later, the organization is still hard at work, protecting and assisting refugees around the world.
They strive to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to eventually return home, integrate or resettle. During times of displacement, they provide critical emergency assistance in the form of clean water, sanitation and healthcare, as well as shelter, blankets,household goods and sometimes food. They also arrange transport and assistance packages for people who return home, and income-generating projects for those who resettle.
Their help transforms broken lives.