UNHCR operates in more than 120 countries around the world. The largest portion of staff are based in countries in Asia and Africa, the two continents that both host and generate the highest number of refugees and internally displaced people. 

Many of UNHCR’s global operations are emergency operations where the agency provides fleeing civilans with life-saving emergency assistance: shelter, food, clean water, sanitation and health care. Other vital assistance includes refugee registration, assistance and advice on asylum applications, education and counselling. UNHCR also assists with the arrangement of transport, when needed and in local integration or reintegration programmes, including income-generation or restoration of infrastructure.

Learn our current major operations around the world.