The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a United Nations agency mandated to support and protect refugees, displaced populations, and stateless people and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration, or relocation to a third country.
UNHCR was set up in 1950 to resolve the refugee crisis that occurred as a result of World War II.
The 1951 Refugee Convention defined the scope and legal basis of the Agency's work, which initially centered on the war-torn Europeans.
In recognition of its service, the UNHCR was awarded two Nobel Peace Prizes in 1954 and 1981 and the Prince of Asturias Awards for International Cooperation in 1991.
It is a member of the United Nations Development Community, a coalition of sustainable development organizations.