About UNHCR
Who we protect
UNHCR protects and assists people who have been forced to flee, and people who have no nationality.
Our mandate covers several groups, each with different needs and legal protections.
| Refugees | People who have fled their country because of persecution, conflict or violence and cannot return safely. They are protected by international law, mainly the 1951 Refugee Convention. |
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| Asylum-seekers | People who have left their country and are asking for protection but whose claim has not yet been decided. |
| Internally displaced people | People forced to flee their homes but who remain inside their own country. UNHCR works with partners to protect and assist them. |
| Stateless people | People who are not considered a national by any country. Without a nationality they can be denied rights such as education, health care and work. |
| Returnees | Former refugees who have gone back to their country and need support to reintegrate safely. |
Protection comes first
Everything UNHCR does starts from protection: making sure people can reach safety, are not sent back to danger, and can enjoy their rights. See the 1951 Refugee Convention and statelessness for the legal framework.
Are you a refugee, asylum-seeker or stateless person? Visit our Get help page.
Questions about your situation?
Read our frequently asked questions or visit the contact page.
Contact us