UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, protects people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. Headquartered in Geneva, UNHCR works in over 130 countries protecting refugees, stateless people and internally displaced persons (IDPs), by responding with life-saving support, safeguarding fundamental human rights and helping them build a better future. This includes in cities which now host ~60% of the world’s refugees and ~80% of the world’s IDPs. Indeed, while refugees and IDPs used to live predominantly in camps a few decades ago, the majority of them now live in urban areas. There, they hope for a better access to basic services and employment opportunities.

Given the current scale and protracted nature of forced displacement crises, more actors are needed to work together to provide refugees with adequate protection and assistance, but also with a future to look forward to. In line with the 2018 Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) which promotes a “multi-stakeholder and partnership approach”, UNHCR has been engaging with municipal authorities, city networks and other partners. While engagement with these key stakeholders is not new, strategic engagement within the GCR framework is vital for creating political will and momentum to make gains towards more predictable and equitable burden and responsibility-sharing in the protection of and assistance to refugees.

UNHCR is engaged with worldwide municipalities in the field. UNHCR has partnered with local authorities, city networks and others. Below is only a brief selection of UNHCR’s important global policy work.

Local best practices and Cities of Light

UNHCR brings to the fore local best practices that contribute to the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees. Cities are encouraged to communicate about the initiatives they are undertaking to support, host and include refugees. In addition, Cities of Light provides an overview of how cities are helping the displaced to help themselves.

Good practices by cities, municipalities and local authorities for inclusive responses to Covid-19

UNHCR collects and shares good practices by cities, municipalities & local authorities which respond to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, while committing to a holistic response that ensures that all residents have access to the information, healthcare, direct services and financial support they need regardless of the language they speak or their migration status.

Solidarity statement

UNHCR sets-up coalitions to promote tolerance and respect for people forced to flee. It launched a campaign in 2018 and continues to invite cities and local authorities all over the world who are working to promote inclusion, support refugees and bring communities together to sign a solidarity statement. Many cities have already signed it to demonstrate their solidarity with refugees and commitment to find solutions, as well as to create spaces where everyone can live together in safety and contribute to and participate in their local community.

Additional resources:

• Urban refugees, UNHCR website
• IDPs in towns and cities – working with the realities of internal displacement in an urban world, Submission to the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement by IIED, JIPS and UN-Habitat, May 2020.
• 2018 High Commissioner’s Protection Dialogue – Protection and solutions in urban settings: engaging with cities.

Contact person:

• Ms. Claire Lamont, Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator, UNHCR focal point for city engagement ( lamont@unhcr.org)