United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHCR was established by a UN General Assembly’s resolution called the Statute of the Office
of the High Commissioner for Refugees, adopted on 14 December, 1950. It began its operation
on 1 January, 1951. Its mandate is to provide, on a non-political and humanitarian basis,
international protection to refugees and to seek permanent solutions for them.

Status

UNHCR is a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly and will discharge its duties under
the guidance of the General Assembly and ECOSOC of United Nations. All important issues
including policy are considered by the Executive Committee of High Commissioner’s Program.
The members of the Committee are almost permanent.

Appointment and term of office

UNHCR is appointed by the UN Secretary General after approval of the UN General Assembly.
The Office was originally established for a period of three years. Thereafter it was extended for
successive periods of five years subject to be reappointed for one further time.

Functions

the Statute of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees lists nine specific activities
which are:

---to promote the conclusions and ratification of international conventions, supervising their
application and proposing amendments

---to promote measures to improve the situation of refugees and reduce the number requiring
protection

--- to assist efforts to promote voluntary repatriation or local settlement

---to promote admission of refugees to the territories of states

---to facilitate the transfer of refugees’ assets

--- to obtain from Governments information concerning refugee numbers and conditions,
relevant laws and regulations

--- to keep in touch of Governments and inter-governmental organizations

--- to establish contact with private organizations

--- to facilitate the coordination of other organization’s efforts

Principal Mandate of UNHCR

UNHCR has two basic functions, namely—

---to provide international protection for refugees

---to seek durable solutions to their problems

These durable solutions fall into the following three categories:

1) Voluntary Repatriation--- this covers preparations for departure to the country of origin,
transportation etc. It also involves activities in the country of origin, including organizing
reception facilities and assistance during the initial phase of reintegration.

2) Local settlement assistance--- this covers activities in providing assistance to refugees who
cannot return home. It aims to promote their self- sufficiency and local integration.

3) Resettlement---UNHCR facilitates permanent resettlement in third countries through securing

resettlement places, medical screening, arranging for travel and measures to facilitate the
integration o9f the refugees in the country of resettlement.