The
United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) is
an impartial, non-political humanitarian organisation mandated
by the United Nations to lead and co-ordinate international
action for the world-wide protection of refugees and the
resolution of refugee problems. With headquarters in Switzerland
and branch offices in 116 countries, UNHCR has two key and
closely related aims: to protect refugees and to seek ways
to help them restart their lives. Click here for
UNHCR Headquarters website.
In Canberra, the Regional Office
for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the South
Pacific provides
legal, resettlement and information services:
The Legal Protection
Unit liaises
with governments in the region on refugee and asylum policy.
It provides training
for officials
working with refugees and advises authorities on best international
standards in respect to legislation, policy and procedures.
UNHCR also monitors the application of the Refugee Convention
in the region and intervenes in individual cases when they
raise important issues of principle, which set standards
for the wider protection of refugees.
The Resettlement section
works closely with the Australian and New Zealand immigration
authorities on the composition
of their quotas for resettled refugees and assists in
the submission of individual cases.
The Public Information
Unit raises awareness about UNHCR's work and refugee issues
amongst parliamentarians, schools,
the media and the general public. It is the first point
of contact for media in the region and can provide
the latest
information on UNHCR's work world-wide. The Regional
Office Canberra also has a wide range of educational
resources
and display materials for teachers, community groups
and the
general public.
A number of countries in this region
have their own systems for assessing asylum applications.
For information
on
seeking asylum, click on the country below:
South Sudan repatriation One of the few bright spots in a strife-torn region. UNHCR urgently needs additional donor support if this important programme is to continue.
Click here for UNHCR's
latest Guidelines on International Protection
