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Mandate of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, was founded in 1950 with the mandate to guarantee international protection of refugees and to look for solutions to their problems. Around 7,190 employees in more than 123 countries work for the rights and the well-being of refugees. In 2010 the Swiss support for the UNHCR has amounted to CHF $ 25.5 million.

The main tasks of the UNHCR

The UNHCR is responsible for the protection and support of refugees and works for long-term and sustainable solutions to their problems (e.g. return in security and dignity, local integration, resettlement).

The work of the UNHCR reflects the dramatic situations in which millions of people find themselves. The largest number of them live in neighbouring countries which therefore carry the largest share of the refugee burden. In the UNHCR has in its care more than 33 million refugees, internally displaced persons, IDP, returning and stateless people around the world.

The UNHCR has been twice awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In its non-partisan work, the UNHCR devotes particular attention to the needs of refugee children and promotes equal rights for women and girls.

The UNHCR and Switzerland

The UNHCR has long been an important partner of Swiss humanitarian aid in activities on behalf of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP).

The UNHCR’s originally planned budget for the year 2012 comes to some USD 3.5 billion. Switzerland’s contribution will be a minimum of at least CHF 25 million. The SHA supports the UNHCR in particular by making up for staff shortfalls during sudden crises and places logistics and management experts at the disposal of the organization.

The UNHCR is headed by a High Commissioner who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the UN Secretary General. The former Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Guterres has been High Commissioner since June 2005. Three High Commissioners have come from Switzerland. Switzerland has had a representative on the Executive Committee since its creation in 1958. This committee supports the High Commissioner in his functions, approves the programmes submitted by him and examines the finances and administration of the UNHCR.