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About UNHCR
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. It also has a mandate to help stateless people.
In more than five decades, the agency has helped tens of millions of people restart their lives. Today, a staff of some 7,190 people in more than 123 countries continues to help about 36 million people.
UNHCR in Ireland
UNHCR Ireland works to safeguard the rights and well being of refugees, asylum seekers and stateless people in Ireland through the provision of guidance, training and support to the Irish authorities and through the promotion of best international standards in respect of legislation, policy and procedures.
UNHCR's supervisory role in relation to compliance with the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees is recognised in national legislation (the Refugee Act, 1996). The office also handles cases in which refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons are in need of assistance, support and advice.
To promote durable solutions UNHCR provides assistance to the Irish Government's resettlement programme and it undertakes initiatives aimed at promoting integration and raising awareness of the issues affecting all those who come under UNHCR's mandate.