UNHCR - Institutional Support - 2015

This grant represents Canada's institutional support to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). UNHCR uses these funds along with other donors’ funding to achieve its mandate. UNHCR’s mandate is to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. It provides international protection and assistance to refugees internally displaced and stateless persons while searching for durable solutions and ensuring that their basic needs are met. With DFATD’s support and that of other donors UNHCR’s emergency operations in 123 countries provide protection and assistance to an estimated 35.8 million displaced people. Main activities include: (1) providing shelter clothing and other essential non-food items to people of concern (including refugees internally displaced persons and stateless people); (2) providing adequate sanitation services; (3) protection including sexual and gender-based violence child protection working with governments to register asylum seekers and refugees and to help issue identity documents; (4) working to uphold the social and economic standing of persons of concern; and (5) working with governments to support refugee self-reliance and forge peaceful relations between refugees and local citizens.

The Global Strategic Priorities for 2014-2015 as stated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) include: (1) improved access to life-saving assistance including shelter water sanitation and protection services; (2) improved access to territorial protection and asylum procedures and protection against refoulement; and (3) improved capacity of governments to consider the adoption of nationality laws that prevent and/or reduce statelessness. The expected ultimate outcome of DFATD humanitarian assistance is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.