GLOBAL REPORT

2020
The High Commissioner for Refugees is mandated by the United Nations
to lead and coordinate international action for the worldwide protection GLOBAL
of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems. Its primary purpose
REPORT
is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. In its efforts to
achieve this objective, the Office strives to ensure that everyone can 2020
exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State,
and to return home voluntarily. By assisting refugees to return to their own country or to settle
permanently in another country, UNHCR also seeks lasting solutions to their plight.

UNHCR’s Executive Committee and the UN General Assembly have authorized involvement
with other groups. These include former refugees who have returned to their homeland,
internally displaced people, and persons who are stateless or whose nationality is disputed.
The Office seeks to reduce situations of forced displacement by encouraging States and
other institutions to create conditions which are conducive to the protection of human rights
and the peaceful resolution of disputes. In all of its activities, it pays particular attention to the
needs of children and seeks to promote the equal rights of women and girls.

The Office carries out its work in collaboration with many partners, including governments,
regional organizations, and international and non-governmental organizations. It is committed
to the principle of participation, believing that refugees and others who benefit from the
Office's activities should be consulted over decisions which affect their lives.

U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 1
CONTENTS CONTENTS

The Global Report presents the work carried out by UNHCR in 2020 to protect and improve the lives of tens of
millions of people of concern—refugees and asylum-seekers, returnees, internally displaced people, stateless
persons, and others of concern. It highlights the year’s achievements, as well as challenges faced by the
organization and its partners, in responding to multiple life-threatening crises and ever-growing humanitarian needs. T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S

172 Safeguarding fundamental 196 Responding with life-saving 216 Building better futures
OVERVIEW REGIONAL THEMATIC rights support

OF 2020 SUMMARIES CHAPTERS

174 Legal protection frameworks

176 Registration, documentation

4 78 172 and identity management

188 Identifying international

protection needs

180 Refugee protection and

migration, including
responses to mixed 198 Emergency preparedness 218 Delivering through
movements and response partnerships

182 Preventing and responding 200 Global supply management 220 Access to quality education
to statelessness
202 Cash assistance 222 Livelihoods and economic
184 Community-based protection inclusion
204 Public health
OVERVIEW OF 2020 REGIONAL SUMMARIES 186 Accountability to affected 224 Supporting the urban
people 206 Mental health and displaced
psychosocial support
4 Foreword by the High 60 Pillars of Change: 78 East and Horn of Africa 188 Child protection, 226 Energy and environmental
Commissioner and the Transforming UNHCR and the Great Lakes youth engagement and 208 Gender-based violence: protection
Special Envoy’s message in 2020 empowerment prevention, risk mitigation
92 Southern Africa and response 228 Voluntary repatriation
8 UNHCR IN 2020 • The Global Compact on
Key data and achievements Refugees 104 West and Central Africa 210 Nutrition and food security 230 Resettlement and
• Decentralization and complementary pathways
116 The Americas 212 Water, sanitation and hygiene
10 Map of populations of regionalization
232 Local integration and other
concern • UN development system 214 Shelter and settlements
130 Asia and the Pacific local solutions
Europe
reform
144 Europe
13%

Middle East
and
North Africa

17%
Asia and
the Pacific

11%
• Human resources 234 Global communications
• Data and information
The Americas

158 Middle East and North Africa

20%

190 Gender equality

East and Horn
of Africa
West and and the Great Lakes
Central Africa
10% 19%

Southern
Africa
9%
• Results-based management ANNEXES
192 Protecting persons with
• Risk management and disabilities and older persons
12 Global Strategic Priorities integrity
236 Member States of UNHCR’s
Priority areas of concern for • UNHCR’s fight against 194 Protecting LGBTIQ+ people
Executive Committee and
UNHCR in 2020 sexual exploitation and in forced displacement
Parties to the Refugee and
abuse and sexual
Statelessness Conventions
18 Funding UNHCR’s harassment
programmes 238 Acronyms
71 UNHCR’s engagement
54 Transformative Initiatives in situations of internal
displacement
59 COVID-19
75 Climate action
595,070 26,390 242,200 20,180
The Global Focus website is UNHCR’s main operational reporting platform for donors. Regularly updated, page views visits documents documents
it complements and augments information in the Global Report with greater detail on UNHCR operations, data on in 2020 compared per month (+20%) downloaded downloaded
to 497,000 in 2019 compared to 175,230 per month (+38%)
key operational themes and objectives, and in-depth information on UNHCR’s budgets, funding and expenditure. (+20%) in 2019 (+38%)
It contains also a glossary of technical terms used throughout this publication.

2 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 3
OV E R V I E W I F O R E W O R D BY H I G H C O M M I S S I O N E R F I L I P P O G R A N D I OV E R V I E W I F O R E W O R D BY H I G H C O M M I S S I O N E R F I L I P P O G R A N D I

And how important those pledges and people–including children—into exile.

reforms were. The people of the Sahel continued to be
plagued and persecuted by conflict and
When COVID-19 hit, most States found
climate change, forcing more and more
practical solutions to enable protection
away from their homes.
from persecution and from the pandemic.
Some States, particularly in Africa, worked UNHCR and partners were determined that
closely with UNHCR to ensure they could the pandemic would not stop them
uphold their international legal protection protecting and assisting record numbers
obligations to even large influxes of of forcibly displaced and stateless people
refugees, while shielding their own citizens around the world, with by year’s end more
from the disease. Their leadership and than 91.9 million people of concern—
solidarity have been exemplary. refugees and asylum-seekers, returnees,
IDPs, and stateless persons. And despite
Alongside our international, national and
the challenges of conflict, the pandemic
local NGO partners, UNHCR stayed and
and paralysis on political progress on most
delivered vital protection activities and
conflicts, UNHCR has continued to search
services and, critically, bolstered host

An unprecedented response
for solutions so that men, women and
State health systems and provided cash
children can stop living in a state of
assistance, shelter and other support to
uncertainty and instead make the most of

in an unprecedented year
help mitigate the most immediate impacts
their potential. For example, at the behest
of the pandemic on the displaced and
of South Sudan and Sudan and under the
host communities.
© UNHCR/Will Swanson stewardship of IGAD, the Intergovernmental
Yet COVID-19’s impact has gone far beyond Authority on Development, UNHCR is
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi meets refugee children from Ethiopia at Hamdayet border reception centre in Sudan. health and has driven millions of refugees developing a solutions strategy that could
into deeper poverty and despair. Often help resolve displacement for up to
reliant on daily wage jobs or informal 7 million people in and from the two
employment, they were among the first countries. This has the potential to end
If you have no reserves to fall back on, straining to keep pace with a historic
to lose out in lockdowns, with poverty the plight of millions of people, but it needs
you have no resilience in a crisis. When the decade of displacement, was squeezed
rates amongst refugees soaring. And the the support of the international community
COVID-19 pandemic shocked the world further by the pandemic, with the fewest
consequences have been grave, especially to strengthen peace and security efforts
in 2020, refugees and other people of departures since 2002. There were fears
for women and children. Gender-based and provide resources to develop the
concern to UNHCR were among the most for a worsening of the plight of stateless
violence has increased, as has domestic countries, including areas where the
vulnerable. For them, the most basic advice persons.
violence and early child marriage. Refugee displaced will live.
was often impossible to follow:
And yet, UNHCR had started 2020 on a children, especially girls, were already less
Despite the global economic challenges
“Don’t travel.” “Stay at home.” “Keep your positive note. The international community likely to attend school than their host
brought on by COVID, solidarity with and
distance.” “Get tested.” “Wash your hands had come together for the first Global counterparts, had less access to remote
for refugees persevered. The major host
frequently.” “Study or work online.” Refugee Forum in December 2019, making learning opportunities, and are less likely
governments, themselves often relying on
more than 1,400 pledges that would put the to return to school after the pandemic.
COVID-19 meant UNHCR’s mission to fragile health systems, did not hesitate to
Global Compact on Refugees into operation, Mental health needs have grown faster
protect and assist refugees was suddenly include refugees in their health responses.
a manifestation of the whole-of-society than the response can manage.
mired in an unprecedented emergency, Donors funded a large percentage of our
approach to respond to forced displacement.
and in a context where travel was difficult While COVID stopped many things, it did COVID-19 response and, led by the
and physical contact all but impossible. UNHCR had also completed its not stop conflict. Old conflicts persisted or United States of America, Germany and
The borders refugees must cross to reach regionalization and decentralization even reignited and new ones erupted, the European Union, responded with
safety were abruptly closed to stem the process, a significant component of an increasing the number of displaced as the an unprecedented overall financial
spread of the disease. Forcibly displaced ambitious reform agenda. It aimed to year went on. Brutal killings were meted contribution to our budget of over
people risked being excluded from the improve delivery, giving more authority out in Mozambique. Conflict, which $4.7 billion, including generous levels of
COVID-19 response, impoverished, evicted, to the field while maintaining and included sexual violence, engulfed Tigray unearmarked funding from donors such
unfed and unable to travel to seek safety strengthening risk management and in Ethiopia. The scourge of gang violence as Sweden, España con ACNUR, and the
or return home. Resettlement, already appropriate controls. in parts of Central America drove more United Kingdom.

4 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 5
OV E R V I E W I F O R E W O R D BY H I G H C O M M I S S I O N E R F I L I P P O G R A N D I OV E R V I E W I S P E C I A L E N VOY

The World Bank and international adequate or sufficiently predictable for

© UNHCR
financial institutions took drastic measures, the response that is required.
including rapidly providing around
This is why the underpinnings of the
$1 billion of grants instead of loans for
Global Compact on Refugees must be
refugee-hosting countries. The private
implemented in response to today’s
sector, including contributions from
displacement crises. There must be greater
innovative Islamic financing mechanisms,
inclusion—not only in the health response
contributed $537.5 million and shared
and vaccinations, but in other social
its valuable expertise to improve our
services and the socioeconomic response.
worldwide response.
In designing and implementing financial
This was an unprecedented response to rescue packages, host countries need to Special Envoy Angelina
Jolie with UNHCR
an unprecedented year and helped us include refugees to prevent further hardship colleagues in Bangladesh
and Myanmar on
carry out our mandate around the world. and suffering, and donor States must ensure a Zoom discussion.
hosts are properly resourced to allow them

The Special Envoy

This support also steadied our resolve to
to continue to extend the protection and
see through our ambitious reform agenda.
support needed to refugees, the displaced
The pandemic forced acceleration in a
and the communities that host them.
number of areas, including streamlining
At its heart, UNHCR’s mission is about visit to UNHCR’s Yemen operation
processes and partnerships to enable And we need greater support elsewhere,
compassion and humanity. That simple truth in December and learning about the
greater flexibility and improved delivery including crucially in the area of vaccine
is easily drowned out by the din of social challenges that both the displaced and
of assistance. And the global uprising equity to avoid a world divided by
media or lost in political arguments. In the UNHCR staff on the ground are battling
against racism and social justice gave us inoculated and infected, ultimately leaving
Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner on daily basis, and speaking to UNHCR
pause and prompted reflection on our no one safe from a resurgence of the
for Refugees, Angelina Jolie, UNHCR has a field officers in the Bolivarian Republic
own shortcomings and biases, unconscious virus. I appeal in the strongest terms to
high-profile champion whose inspiring and of Venezuela about the impact of the
or not. This led to sometimes painful, yet those States with resources and capacity
focused advocacy can cut through the noise pandemic on their work.
necessary, internal discussions on race to do more to share vaccines and logistical
and bring the conversation back to solutions
equality and inclusion within UNHCR. To support so that all people, including Separately, during a virtual design
for refugees.
address the issues raised, and building on refugees and their hosts, can be protected competition and fashion show organized
work on the prevention of sexual exploitation from the virus. On World Refugee Day, in an article for Time by UNHCR’s Kenyan partner RefuSHE,
and abuse and sexual harassment, we magazine, she urged Americans to look the Special Envoy reunited virtually with
The COVID-19 pandemic also reminds us
launched agency-wide discussions, hired beyond borders and see the fight for rights a Congolese refugee she had met three
of the importance of prevention and
external experts to guide us, and developed and equality as universal, and asked years before and who had since been
preparedness. Clearly this applies to future
an interim plan of action to make UNHCR governments to work towards durable resettled to the United States of America.
pandemics, but it must also be applied to
a better, more inclusive agency which will settlements to the world’s conflicts. The In October, the Special Envoy joined U.S.
prevent and resolve conflict and address
undoubtedly make us a better champion article cited UNHCR data on displacement, Representative Chrissy Houlahan for an
the climate emergency, which threatens
of refugees and the displaced. while an accompanying video helped online conversation on combatting gender-
us all and from which no country alone
spotlight the plight of refugees in Bangladesh based violence, and the following month
Despite the many achievements of 2020, can protect its population.
and Myanmar, with UNHCR staff briefing the she addressed the Republic of Korea’s
there are unfortunately more forcibly
If it has taught us anything, I trust this year Special Envoy on day-to-day challenges they conference on Action with Women and
displaced people than ever and their needs
has taught us all that the gravest threats encounter. She addressed the UN Security Peace, demanding an end to impunity
are greater. The additional hardship
to our health and safety—whether it be Council on sexual violence against children, around sexual violence in conflict. Her
brought by COVID-19, the lack of political
a pandemic, the climate emergency or highlighting Iraq’s Yazidi minority and poignant op-ed in the Financial Times
progress on resolving conflicts, combined
conflict—require multilateral cooperation challenging Member States to do more for invited readers to consider the context
with funding shortfalls for UNHCR and
and action to address and resolve. survivors. At a UNHCR-UNICEF roundtable, and complexity of UNHCR’s work, and to
other humanitarian agencies, compounds
co-hosted by Canada and the United support refugees with respect and
their suffering. Ending wars and rebuilding
Kingdom, she urged governments to invest understanding as well as donations.
peace would allow many millions to fulfil
in educating refugee children.
their dreams of going home. Yet even a
fully-funded UNHCR would only be able Although COVID-19 made travelling almost
address a portion of these needs, and —Filippo Grandi impossible, the Special Envoy remained —Angelina Jolie
humanitarian funding windows are not UNHCR High Commissioner informed and engaged, making a virtual UNHCR’s Special Envoy

6 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 7
U N H C R I N 2 02 0 U N H C R I N 2 02 0

UNHCR IN 2020 KEY RESULTS IN 2020

Safeguarding fundamental rights

To protect and assist 91.9 million people of concern in 133 countries, REGISTRATION % of Target STATELESSNESS % of Target

9.2 million individuals (5 years 63,200 stateless persons acquired

and above) with biometric records 92% a nationality, or had it confirmed. +63%
in PRIMES. Target: 10 million Target: 100,000 | 2019 result: 81,074
0 50% 100% 0 50% 100%
2019 result: 8.8 million

ASYLUM APPLICATIONS
CHILD PROTECTION
115,800 Individual asylum
UNHCR’s budget was It received Its expenditure was applications processed by UNHCR. 97% 45,974 best interests assessments +82%
conducted. Target: 48,451
$9.131 billion $4.776 billion $4.838 billion Projection before COVID-19 120,000,
2019 result: 120,400 0 50% 100%
2019 result: 56,091* 0 50% 100%

In contributions

Responding with life-saving support

People of concern I 2015-2020 3.4 million
Returned refugees EMERGENCY AND % of Target HEALTH % of Target
and IDPs
100 91.9M CORE RELIEF ITEMS 0.19 under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000
86.5M 8.3 million
Others of concern 600,000+ people of concern under-5s per month) in refugee camps.
74.7M received core relief items in 100% Target: <1.5 | 2019 result: 0.3 Target met
80 3 million*
71.2M Stateless persons emergency-affected countries.
63.9M 67.6M 0 50% 100% 0 50% 100%
not counted under other
Target: 600,000 | 2019 result: 600,000
60
categories
(4.2 million in total*)
FOOD SECURITY AND
3.9 million CASH ASSISTANCE NUTRITION
Venezuelans displaced
40 abroad $695 million of cash assistance 61% of surveyed sites had acceptable
48.6 million delivered to people of concern levels of global acute malnutrition
118% (<10%).2019 result: 61% 61%
IDPs across all operations.
20 4.1 million Target: $588 million 0 50% 100% 0 50% 100%
Asylum-seekers 2019 result: $650 million
20.7 million WATER, SANITATION
0 Refugees
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 SHELTER AND HYGIENE
* See footnote 5 p.11
249,000 people of concern lived 100% 43% of people of concern had at least 96%
in a refugee housing unit. 20 litres of safe water per day.
UNHCR was present in 133 countries with offices in 550 locations
0 50% 100% 0 50% 100%
Target: 250,000 | 2019 result: 219,000 Target: 45%

STAFF MEMBERS AFFILIATE WORKFORCE* GLOBAL WORKFORCE

13,336 4,542 17,878 Building better futures

EDUCATION % of Target
RESETTLEMENT % of Target
Global workforce by category Global workforce by region Gender breakdowns of UNHCR workforce
1.7 million children enrolled 22,800 UNHCR-facilitated
International Middle East HQs in primary education. 90% resettlement departures. 33%
Affiliate 22% and 9% 38% 62% 58% 42% 56% 44% Target: 1.9 million | 2019 result: 0 50% 100%
Target: 70,000 | 2019 result: 63,726 0 50% 100%
North Africa East and Horn 1,476,716**
25% 19% of Africa and
the Great Lakes
170,000 students enrolled in lower
Europe 22% and upper secondary education. 93% ENERGY AND
10% Target: 182,900 | 2019 result: 63,888
West and 0 50% 100% ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Asia and Central Africa HQs Field Global
the Pacific
5% 7,087 people of concern received 1.7 million people of concern had
12% tertiary education scholarships. 55% access to a sustainable source of 69%
Field 91%
National 53% The Americas Southern Africa Target: 12,800 | 2019 results: 8,262 0 50% 100% electricity. Target: 2.5 million 0 50% 100%

11% 11% HQs 9%

*
Data addition included since the previous Global Report reporting cut-off date (55,769 best interests assessments reported in the Global Report 2019).
* UNVs, individual contractors and consultants hired through UNOPS or directly, deployees, secondees and interns. **
1,136,002 reported in the Global Report 2019. 2019 figure has been revised to reflect the cut-off date.

8 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 9
POPULATIONS OF CONCERN TO UNHCR

Europe

13%

Middle East
and Asia and
North Africa the Pacific

17% 11%

The Americas

20%
East and Horn
of Africa
West and and the Great Lakes
Central Africa
Refugees
10% 19%
Asylum-seekers

Internally displaced people (IDPs)

Returnees (refugees and IDPs)

Stateless persons Southern

Africa
Others of concern
9%
Venezuelans displaced abroad
 he data are generally provided by Governments, based on their own definitions and methods of data collection.
T
A dash ("-") indicates that the value is zero, not available or not applicable. All data are provisional and subject to
change. More information on people of concern to UNHCR in 2020, including statistical trends and changes of global
[E N D D E C E M B E R 2020] displacement during the year, can be found in the 2020 Global Trends report.

West and
East and Horn Asia Middle East TOTAL (1) Includes
of Africa and the Southern Africa The Americas and the Europe and POPULATION groups of persons who are outside their country or territory of origin and who face protection risks similar
Central Africa
Great Lakes Pacific North Africa OF CONCERN to those of refugees, but for whom refugee status has, for practical or other reasons, not been ascertained.
(2) Includes refugees who have returned to their place of origin during 2020. Source: country of origin and asylum.
Refugees 1,353,611 4,511,575 720,533 650,932 3,968,708 6,673,149 2,483,780 20,362,288 (3)Includes IDPs who are in IDP-like situations.
Persons in refugee-like (4) Includes IDPs protected/assisted by UNHCR who have returned to their place of origin during 2020.
- -
situations (1) - 108,759 47,997 105,271 26,000 288,027 (5) Refers to persons who are not considered as nationals by any State under the operation of its law. This category

refers to persons who fall under the agency’s statelessness mandate because they are stateless according to this
Total refugees 1,353,611 4,511,575 720,533 759,691 4,016,705 6,778,420 2,509,780 20,650,315
international definition, but data from some countries may also include persons with undetermined nationality. The
Asylum-seekers 38,058 157,008 294,788 2,112,469 203,480 1,125,616 207,902 4,139,321 figures reported include stateless persons who are also counted as refugees, asylum-seekers, IDPs or others of
concern to UNHCR. UNHCR’s statistical reporting generally follows a methodology that reports only one legal status
Returned refugees (2)
 42,160 165,467 675 10 2,547 24 40,068 250,951 for each person of concern. However, due to the extraordinary size of the displaced stateless population from
IDPs protected/assisted Myanmar, UNHCR considers it important to reflect the dual status of this population group as both displaced and
by UNHCR (3) 6,373,076 9,875,419 6,000,599 8,571,378 3,544,916 1,985,782 12,206,269 48,557,439 stateless. Additional stateless refugees, asylum-seekers, and IDPs will be reported on as UNHCR continues to review
and improve its reporting on stateless persons with a dual status.
Returned IDPs (4) 655,815 474,822 1,434,272 - 155,11 3 375 463,721 3,184,118 (6) People of concern to UNHCR not included in the other categories but to whom UNHCR may extend its protection

Stateless persons (5)

 954,646 27,794 - 4,423 2,285,074 534,438 370,527 4,176,902 and/or assistance.
(7)Venezuelans displaced abroad refers to persons of Venezuelan origin who are likely to be in need of international
Others of concern (6)
 138,157 2,690,328 37,408 3,052,456 685,100 1,657,095 49,207 8,309,751 protection under the criteria contained in the Cartagena Declaration, but who have not applied for asylum in the
Venezuelans displaced country in which they are present. Regardless of status, Venezuelans displaced abroad require protection against
abroad (7) - - - 3,856,327 - - - 3,856,327 forced returns, and access to basic services. UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration work together
with this population by leading the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform, which is aimed at strengthening
TOTAL 9,555,523 17,901,439 8,488,27 5 18,356,358 9,755,055 12,016,349 15,847,447 91,920,446 the protection dimensions and consistent responses across the region in line with human rights standards.

10 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 11
OV E R V I E W I G LO B A L S T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S OV E R V I E W I G LO B A L S T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S

GLOBAL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES SECURITY FROM VIOLENCE AND EXPLOITATION

3. Reducing protection risks faced by people of concern, in particular, discrimination,

2020-2021 gender-based violence and specific risks faced by children (Gender-based violence response,
Best interests procedures and Access to national child services)
The Global Strategic Priorities (GSPs) for the 2020-2021 biennium set out areas targeted by UNHCR to enhance protection IMPACT INDICATOR HOW WAS UNHCR ENGAGED? RESULTS
for people of concern and find solutions for them. The GSPs are divided into two categories: “operational priorities” for field
operations and “support and management priorities” for core organizational functions. The operational priorities influence >NARRATIVES in the chapter on Responding with life-saving support
the development and implementation of country-level plans by field operations. The GSPs are in line with the 2030 Agenda Extent known gender-based violence Improving support for gender-based Improved in 42 situations
for Sustainable Development and reflect UNHCR’s 2017-2021 Strategic Directions and commitments made at the World survivors receive appropriate support violence survivors in 95 refugee operations,
Humanitarian Summit, including under the Grand Bargain. 10 IDP situations and 3 returnee situations.

This year for the first time, the Global Strategic Priorities are fully integrated into the Global Report, and reporting on UNHCR’s
Extent community is active in gender-based Improving community involvement in Improved in 21 situations
achievements and challenges across all GSP areas in 2020 can be found in the thematic chapters of the Global Report. violence prevention and survivor-centred prevention of gender-based violence and
protection protection of survivors in 58 refugee
situations, 8 IDP situations and 4 returnee

OPERATIONAL GSPs situations.

>NARRATIVES in the chapter on Safeguarding fundamental rights

FAVOURABLE PROTECTION ENVIRONMENT % of unaccompanied and separated children Maintaining or increasing the rate in Increased in 25 situations
for whom a best interest process has been 74 refugee situations. Maintained in 9 situations
1. Safeguarding access to territorial protection and asylum procedures; protection against initiated or completed
refoulement; and supporting the adoption of nationality laws that prevent and/or reduce
statelessness (Legislation on refugees, Law and Policy on IDPs and Legislation on Extent children of concern have Increasing non-discriminatory access to Increased in 15 situations
statelessness) non-discriminatory access to national child national child protection and social services Maintained in 10 situations
protection and social services in 37 refugee situations, 4 IDP situations
>NARRATIVES in the chapter on Safeguarding fundamental rights and 3 returnee situations.

IMPACT INDICATOR HOW WAS UNHCR ENGAGED? RESULTS

Extent law consistent with international Improving national law and policy in Improved in 9 countries
standards relating to refugees and asylum 80 countries.
seekers BASIC NEEDS AND SERVICES
Extent law and policy consistent with Improving national law and policy in Improved in 14 countries 4. Reducing mortality, morbidity and malnutrition through multi-sectoral interventions
international standards relating to internal 17 countries.
displacement
(Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) and Under-5 mortality rate)
Extent citizenship law consistent with Improving citizenship laws in 40 countries. Improved in 19 countries 5. Meeting international standards in relation to shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene
international standards relating to (Shelter and Water)
prevention of statelessness
>NARRATIVES in the chapter on Responding with life-saving support
% of stateless persons for whom nationality Seeking rise in rate of stateless people 63,200 stateless individuals acquiring or
granted or confirmed acquiring or confirming nationality in having their nationality confirmed. IMPACT INDICATOR HOW WAS UNHCR ENGAGED? RESULTS
14 situations.
Prevalence of global acute malnutrition Maintaining UNHCR standards or reducing Standard met in 27 situations
(GAM) (6-59 months) level of GAM in 36 refugee camp/settlement
FAIR PROTECTION PROCESS AND DOCUMENTATION situations.

2. Securing birth registration, profiling and individual documentation based on registration

Under-5 mortality rate Seeking UNHCR standards or reducing Standard met in 159 sites in 19 countries
(Birth registration and Registration) under-5 mortality rates in 44 refugee
camp/settlement situations.
>NARRATIVES in the chapter on Safeguarding fundamental rights
IMPACT INDICATOR HOW WAS UNHCR ENGAGED? RESULTS % of households living in adequate Maintaining or increasing the percentage of Increased in 56 situations
dwellings households living in adequate dwellings in Maintained in 9 situations
% of children under 12 months old who have Increasing systematic issuance of birth Improved in 20 situations 48 refugee situations, 15 IDP situations and
been issued with a birth certificate by the certificates to newborns in 53 situations. 7 returnee situations.
authorities

% of people of concern registered on an Maintaining or increasing levels of individual Improved in 12 situations Average number of litres of potable water Maintaining or increasing the level of water Increased in 26 situations
individual basis registration in 96 refugee situations. Maintained in 45 situations available per person per day supply in 46 refugee situations. Maintained in 6 situations

12 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 13
OV E R V I E W I G LO B A L S T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S OV E R V I E W I G LO B A L S T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S

SUPPORT AND MANAGEMENT GSPs

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND SELF-RELIANCE
1. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT
6. Promoting active participation in decision-making of people of concern and building
coexistence with hosting communities (Female participation in leadership and management >NARRATIVES in the chapter on Funding UNHCR's programmes
and Coexistence) INDICATOR RESULTS

7. Promoting human potential through increased opportunities for quality education and ■ UNHCR streamlines and enhances its financial management and ■ UNHCR’s annual financial statements included a statement of internal
livelihoods support (Self-reliance and Education) reporting systems and applies effective financial controls. controls for the first time.

IMPACT INDICATOR HOW WAS UNHCR ENGAGED? RESULTS ■ UNHCR records and discloses its accounts in compliance with the ■ UNHCR closed its 2019 accounts and obtained an unqualified opinion
International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). from an audit conducted virtually due to COVID-19.

>NARRATIVES in the chapter on Safeguarding fundamental rights ■ UNHCR embeds robust financial controls and business processes in ■ UNHCR supported digitalization of new payment mechanisms and
Improved in 33 situations delivery of cash assistance. secure and direct cash delivery.
% of active female participants in Improving participation of women in
leadership/management structures leadership/management structures in Maintained in 7 situations
■ UNHCR simplifies and harmonizes its partnership arrangements and ■ $1.455 billion went to 1,143 partners, including 728 national NGOs.
54 refugee situations and 4 IDP situations. entrusts a greater share of resources to local partners. 28% of operational programme expenditure went to local/national
responders (above 25% Grand Bargain commitment.)
Extent local communities support continued Improving relations between refugees and Improved in 26 situations
presence of people of concern local communities in 65 situations.
2. INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION
>NARRATIVES in the chapter on Building better futures >NARRATIVES in the chapter on Safeguarding fundamental rights
% of people of concern (18-59 years) with Maintaining or increasing the percentage Increased in 27 situations INDICATOR RESULTS
own business/self-employed for more than of people of concern who improve their Maintained in 6 situations
12 months business/self-employment opportunities ■ UNHCR strengthens global protection and solutions capacity and ■ Greater community engagement and COVID-related innovations
in 38 operations. response with direct operational support, enhanced monitoring and facilitated forcibly displaced people’s active participation and role as
partnerships. frontline responders.

% of primary school-aged children enrolled Improving primary school enrolment in Increased in 33 situations ■ UNHCR enhances promotion of gender equality and reinforces ■ UNHCR issued operational guidance on risk communication and use
in primary education 95 refugee situations. Maintained in 14 situations accountability to people of concern at global and operational levels. of instant messaging, and operational guidance and a guide for senior
managers on accountability to affected people.

3. PROTECTION AND SOLUTIONS

DURABLE SOLUTIONS >NARRATIVES in the chapters on Safeguarding fundamental rights and Responding with life-saving support
8. Expanding opportunities for durable solutions for people of concern, particularly those in INDICATOR RESULTS
protracted situations, including by strengthening the use of comprehensive approaches and
■ UNHCR (in close collaboration with States, international development ■ UNHCR advocated for States’ accession to the 1951 Refugee
contributing to sustainable reintegration, local settlement and successful resettlement in and peacebuilding entities and other relevant actors) supervises and Convention and its 1967 Protocol. Despite COVID-related court
third countries advocates in favour of national, regional and global protection closures, UNHCR intervened as a third party in 18 cases in
frameworks and capacities. 10 jurisdictions.
>NARRATIVES in the chapter on Building better futures
■ By partnering, supporting national systems and institutions, and ■ UNHCR co-chaired the Global Protection Cluster task team on
IMPACT INDICATOR HOW WAS UNHCR ENGAGED? RESULTS implementing comprehensive responses, UNHCR strengthens the anti-trafficking in humanitarian action, and issued the “Introductory
protection of displaced and stateless persons. guide to anti-trafficking action in internal displacement contexts”.
Extent return has been voluntary, and in Supporting refugees to return voluntarily, Supported in 41 situations
safety and dignity and in safety and dignity in 41 situations
(where conditions permit). 4. USE OF DATA AND INFORMATION
>NARRATIVES in the chapter on Transformative initiatives
Extent returnees have same access to rights Supporting returnees in 11 situations to Supported in 9 situations
as other citizens reintegrate in a sustainable manner, with the INDICATOR RESULTS
same access to rights as other citizens.
■ UNHCR and partners manage and use data and information to enable ■ UNHCR issued a report on SDGs and displacement, led assessments
evidence-based actions, programme design and resourcing decisions. for UN Special Rapporteurs’ reports on people with disabilities, and
Extent social and economic integration is Supporting local integration in 42 refugee Improved in 11 situations developed a demographic data model for evidence-based
realized situations (where conditions permit). programming.

■ UNHCR makes information and analysis available to support the ■ UNHCR led inter-agency processes to develop monitoring
% of people of concern, identified in need of Maintaining or increasing the percentage of UNHCR submitted the cases of 39,500 inclusion of refugees and other people of concern in international frameworks, including a global inter-agency multi-sectoral COVID-19
resettlement, submitted for resettlement people submitted for resettlement to refugees for resettlement to 25 countries, and national development frameworks. monitoring framework.
support solutions in 74 situations. representing a decrease of 48% when
compared with the previous year. ■ UNHCR’s data and information management approaches, including storing ■ A WFP-UNHCR hub supported collaboration and data interoperability,
and sharing of personal data, respect protection practices and privacy and UNHCR provided technical leadership to the UN Common Cash
concerns. Statement Working Group.

14 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 15
OV E R V I E W I G LO B A L S T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S OV E R V I E W I G LO B A L S T R AT E G I C P R I O R I T I E S

5. HUMANITARIAN COORDINATION 9. HUMAN RESOURCES

>NARRATIVES in the chapter on Transformative initiatives >NARRATIVES in the chapter on Transformative initiatives
INDICATOR RESULTS INDICATOR RESULTS

■ Effective coordination and leadership is established for refugee ■ UNHCR led 29 of 32 field protection clusters/ cluster-like mechanisms. ■ UNHCR analyses its talent requirements to improve strategic ■ UNHCR analyzed progress towards workforce diversity and gender
responses and for UNHCR-led clusters at the global and operational GPC missions visited Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Iraq and Sudan. workforce planning, taking into account diversity and gender balance. parity, and created the UNHCR Skills Catalogue, including close to
levels. The Global CCCM Cluster supported 23 clusters/cluster-like structures 1,400 skills, including insights on skill gaps and talent requirements.
(19 UNHCR-led or co-led). In shelter, UNHCR led 16 country clusters
and 19 coordination mechanisms. ■ UNHCR provides learning opportunities and performance reviews to ■ 15,000 staff took part in learning programmes; 4,000 joined career
support career management, informed by the organizational demand webinars; 400 signed up for coaching or mentoring; 400 managers
■ UNHCR provides protection expertise and analysis to guide and ■ UNHCR combined coordination and leadership with field operations, for skills. joined dialogues on inclusion and enabling work environments.
inform joint humanitarian action. enhancing accountability, collaboration and government relations.
An Operational Data Review covered collection, analysis, and use of ■ UNHCR uses efficient human resources systems and a fair and ■ 1,700 vacancies, 110 for fast track situations, were processed.
data disaggregated by age, sex, disability, and other diversity transparent assignments framework to ensure diversity and gender 52% of external recruits into the international professional category
considerations. balance in the deployment of qualified personnel, particularly in were female. 33 talent pools were managed, with 1,300 applications
emergencies and high-risk operations. received a month.

■ UNHCR’s operations observe standards of occupational health ■ External mental health support, peer advisors and staff councils
6. PROGRAMME AND RESULTS-BASED MANAGEMENT and safety. strengthened psychosocial capacity. UNHCR actively contributed
to the UN System-Wide Task Force on Medical Evacuations and the
>NARRATIVES in the chapter on Transformative initiatives UN vaccination strategy, underpinning UN preparedness and
response plans.
INDICATOR RESULTS

■ UNHCR’s strategies are informed by improved joint needs ■ UNHCR’s finalized design of its Results-Based Management
assessments and developed and implemented in consultation with framework for multi-year strategic planning, aiming to engage 10. MOBILIZATION OF SUPPORT
key stakeholders, including national authorities, civil society, stakeholders throughout the programming cycle and support SDG
development partners and private sector representatives. goals. >NARRATIVES in the chapters on Funding UNHCR's programmes and Global communications
INDICATOR RESULTS
7. CASH ASSISTANCE ■ UNHCR increases its funding from public and private sources. ■ UNHCR raised $4.084 billion from governmental donors, including
$404.8 million in unearmarked funding.
>NARRATIVES in the chapter on Responding with life-saving support Private sector fundraising raised an unprecedented $537.5 million,
$256.4 million unearmarked, an overall 27% growth in income and
INDICATOR RESULTS
above the ambitious $500 million target.
■ UNHCR has the systems, tools, skills and processes needed to ■ UNHCR distributed $695 million to 8.6 million people. Refugees in
■ UNHCR holds regular and substantive dialogue to enhance and ■ UNHCR redoubled efforts to collaborate with development banks,
implement and scale up cash assistance programmes in an 47 countries got digital payments. Over 65 operations launched cash
maintain its partnerships with Member States of the Executive agencies and institutions. UNHCR worked with ILO on decent work for
accountable manner. initiatives and expanded or adapted cash assistance.
Committee, United Nations agencies, NGOs and other partners. refugees and host communities, UNICEF on streamlining country-level
collaboration, and UNDP on integrating displacement into
■ UNHCR aims for common cash transfer arrangements with partners, ■ UNHCR worked towards the UN Common Cash Statement in the
development initiatives.
in line with UNHCR’s cash assistance policy and strategy. seven focus countries, which have launched joint procurement for
financial service providers, joint cash feasibility and risk assessments,
■ UNHCR strengthens its strategic communications with targeted ■ Goodwill Ambassadors and high profile supporters with 177 million
and joint post-distribution monitoring.
multimedia campaigns, timely public updates and increased outreach followers brought record social media engagement. Posts on World
to target audiences, building a strong community of supporters. Refugee Day reached 55.2 million via the #WithRefugees coalition.

8. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE ■ UNHCR expands political and operational support from private and ■ UNHCR maintained positive, strategic relations with nine National
public sectors to improve the welfare of displaced populations and Partners, with a new National Partner in Switzerland. España con
>NARRATIVES in the chapters on Safeguarding fundamental rights and Responding with life-saving support host communities. ACNUR contributed a record $103 million to UNHCR

INDICATOR RESULTS

■ UNHCR has stocks of core relief items to provide emergency ■ UNHCR’s global stockpiles sent out CRIs worth $36.2 million and kept
assistance for up to 600,000 people and dispatched within 72 hours. ready to serve 600,000 people within 72 hours. UNHCR carried out
22 airlifts and added an eighth global stockpile in Panama.

■ UNHCR maintains active standby capacity. UNHCR and partner ■ COVID-19 affected deployments to emergencies, and some were
personnel, with appropriate leadership, coordination and protection done remotely until travel was possible. UNHCR facilitated
skills, are available for immediate deployment to emergency 319 deployments, including 150 UNHCR staff and 169 external staff.
operations.

■ Representation of local and national partners and communities is ■ Some 722 UNHCR staff and partners were trained in emergency
increased in preparedness action planning. management/leadership, security management procedures and
awareness, situation emergency, and inter-agency emergency
exercises.

■ UNHCR applies a proactive approach to security management, with a ■ UNHCR undertook security missions to Ethiopia, Mozambique,
qualified security workforce, security training and support to the Sahel and elsewhere, and responded to 298 security incidents.
emergencies. Around 3,000 UNHCR and 500 partner staff received security training.

16 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 17
 OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

Funding UNHCR’s
Programmes
TABLE 1 | 2020 BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE OVERVIEW | USD
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4

Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP % OF

REGION AND SUB-REGION TOTAL
programme programme projects projects GLOBAL

EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA Budget 1,621,244,381 5,274,955 143,554,123 131,764,764 1,901,838,224 21%
AND THE GREAT LAKES
Expenditure 747,600,502 1,998,892 31,157,159 82,547,299 863,303,853 18%

OVERVIEW BUDGET SOUTHERN AFRICA Budget 247,011,245 9,409,927 6,233,495 62,057,132 324,711,800 4%
Expenditure 134,122,489 3,896,910 3,379,144 58,094,262 199,492,805 4%
This chapter presents an overview of At its 70th session in October 2019,
WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA Budget 425,620,444 11,610,274 41,047,988 186,728,715 665,007,422 7%
UNHCR’s budget, expenditure and income UNHCR’s Executive Committee approved
Expenditure 285,769,116 6,034,952 22,890,552 127,755,485 442,450,105 9%
in 2020. More detailed information can be an original global needs-based budget for
THE AMERICAS Budget 552,096,027 6,333,500 - 53,408,847 611,838,373 7%
found on Global Focus, UNHCR’s main 2020 of $8.668 billion. At its 71st session in
Expenditure 288,912,099 3,011,184 - 28,907,020 320,830,302 7%
operational reporting platform. October 2020, the Executive Committee
approved a revised budget of $9.131 billion ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Budget 626,145,530 33,536,652 99,256,656 49,309,937 808,248,775 9%
UNHCR’s final 2020 budget was
based on updated assessed needs. Expenditure 343,295,596 17,907,741 51,501,679 30,235,481 442,940,497 9%
$9.131 billion, having increased from the EUROPE Budget 793,298,456 9,845,970 236,860 28,287,818 831,669,105 9%
2020 original budget of $8.668 billion. That budget represented the sum of the
Expenditure 484,245,015 6,865,790 209,672 17,800,586 509,121,063 11%
The increase was the result of two approved original budget of $8.668 billion
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Budget 1,680,562,394 2,319,747 317,833,049 812,650,228 2,813,365,419 31%
supplementary budgets totalling and two supplementary budgets of
$463.7 million. It comprised programmed Expenditure 893,311,155 1,591,909 102,610,319 355,374,173 1,352,887,557 28%
$463.7 million which were added during
the year. activities of $8.721 million (including
SUBTOTAL FIELD Budget 5,945,978,479 78,331,026 608,162,171 1,324,207,441 7,956,679,117 87%
management and administration costs
Expenditure totalled $4.838 billion leading at Headquarters, covered in part by Expenditure 3,177,255,973 41,307,379 211,748,525 700,714,305 4,131,026,182 85%
to an implementation rate (expenditure the United Nations Regular Budget
over total funds available) of 89.5%. Taking contribution); an operational reserve of Global programmes Budget 552,989,978 552,989,978 6%
total funds available over the final budget, $395.4 million; the “new or additional Expenditure 486,250,291 486,250,291 10%
the funding gap was 41%. activities – mandate-related” reserve Headquarters Budget 211,723,778 211,723,778 2%
of $2.5 million; and $12 million for Junior
Global Strategic Priorities Total funds available to UNHCR reached Expenditure 211,406,556 211,406,556 4%
Mobilization of support Professional Officers.
See p. 18 for GSP result $5.404 billion, comprising voluntary
contributions of $4.722 billion, carry-over When compared with the 2019 budget SUBTOTAL PROGRAMMED ACTIVITIES Budget 6,710,692,235 78,331,026 608,162,171 1,324,207,441 8,721,392,873 96%

of $410.9 million, $40.1 million from the of $8.636 billion, the final 2020 budget Expenditure 3,874,912,820 41,307,379 211,748,525 700,714,305 4,828,683,030 100%
Regular Budget of the United Nations, of $9.131 billion represents an increase of
and $229.8 million from other income $495.4 million or 5.7%, mainly reflecting Operational Reserve Budget 395,408,657 395,408,657 4%
and adjustments. the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. NAM Reserve Budget 2,546,876 2,546,876 0.03%
JPOs Budget 12,000,000 12,000,000 0.1%
Expenditure 8,983,004 8,983,004 0.2%

TOTAL Budget 7,120,647,768 78,331,026 608,162,171 1,324,207,441 9,131,348,406

Programmed activities are field operations; global programmes, which are Expenditure 3,883,895,824 41,307,379 211,748,525 700,714,305 4,837,666,034
technical activities undertaken by Headquarters, but which are of direct benefit to
field operations; and the work of Headquarters to provide leadership and
management, policy guidance, administrative support, and managerial and
programmatic assistance to the field.

18 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 19
 Africa Middle East and North Africa Europe
2020 ORIGINAL AND FINAL BUDGET
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S Global Programmes Asia and the Pacific OV E R V I E W I The
F U NAmericas
D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S
Headquarters

2 supplementary budgets in 2020

$404 COVID-19
CHART 1 | 2020 ORIGINAL AND FINAL BUDGET | USD millions CHART 2 | EXPENDITURE BY REGION AND BY PILLAR | USD millions
$59.7 sahel
500 9,500
450 8,500
400 7,500
10,000
$9,131 350 0 6,500 300 600 900 1,200 1,500
$8,668
9,000 East and300
Horn of Africa 5,500
8,000
Supplementary budgets $463.7M $1,324 and the Great Lakes $863 | 18%
$1,129
250 4,500
$643
$404M COVID-19 $608 $78
7,000 Southern
200 Africa 3,500 $199 | 4%
$82 $59.7M Sahel
6,000
150
West and Central Africa
2,500
$442 | 9% Total pillar 1: $3.875 billion
5,000
80% of global expenditure

USD Millions
100 1,500
4,000 $7,121 The Americas
50 500
$6,815 $321 | 7%
3,000 0 0
Asia and the Pacific Pillar 1 Pillar 2
$443 | 9%
Pillar 3 Pillar 4 Pillar 5
USD Millions

2,000
Original Supplementary
1,000
Europe $509 | 11%
0
2020 Original Budget 2020 Final Budget Middle East and North Africa $1,353 | 28%
(October 2019) (December 2020)

Pillar 1 Pillar 2 Pillar 3 Pillar 4 Pillar 1 Pillar 2 Pillar 3 Pillar 4

Supplementary budgets in Ethiopia ($346 million), and Uganda EXPENDITURE for Pillar 3 (global reintegration projects)
($357 million); in Asia and the Pacific for increased by $89.8 million or 73.7% and
With COVID-19 the overwhelming Expenditure totalled $4.838 billion,
Bangladesh ($319 million); and in Europe accounted for 4% of total expenditure.
priority for response, two supplementary an increase of $422.4 million or 9.6%
for Turkey ($365 million) and Greece The largest expenditure ($103 million)
budgets were issued for the COVID-19 in comparison with 2019. This is an
($284 million). under Pillar 3 was in the Syrian
pandemic ($404 million) and in support implementation rate (expenditure Arab Republic.
of the refugee and displacement crisis The second largest component of over total funds available) of 89.5%.
in the central Sahel region ($59.7 million). programmed activities was Pillar 4 Expenditure under Pillar 1 increased by Expenditure for Pillar 4 increased by
The financial requirements for these (global IDP projects), at 15% of requirements, $272 million or 7.5% compared to 2019 $59 million or 9.2% compared to 2019 and
budgets were $463.7 million or 5.3% where the major operations continued to and at 80% of total expenditure continued accounted for 14.5% of total expenditure.
of the total budget for programmed be in the Middle East and North Africa, to account for the overwhelming majority Major IDP projects were in Iraq, the Syrian
activities ($8.721 billion). specifically in Iraq ($328 million) and the of UNHCR expenditure. Pillar 2 (stateless Arab Republic and Yemen in the Middle
Syrian Arab Republic ($210 million). programme) increased by $1.3 million or East and North Africa; the Democratic
With reference to the financial requirements
Regionally, the largest requirements were 3.3% compared to 2019 and accounted Republic of the Congo in Southern Africa;
for 2020 programmed activities of
$8.721 billion, these increased by in the Middle East and North Africa and for approximately 1% of total expenditure; Burkina Faso and Nigeria in West and
$562.5 million or 7% compared to 2019. in the East and Horn of Africa and the approximately 34% of the expenditure Central Africa; and Somalia, South Sudan
Great Lakes regions, at $2.813 billion, for stateless programmes was associated and Sudan in the East and Horn of Africa
Globally, Pillar 1 (global refugee to the operation in Myanmar. Expenditure and the Great Lakes.
or 32%, and at $1.901 billion or 22%, of
programmes), was the largest component
total requirements for programmed
of the programmed activities, at 77%.
activities respectively. This is reflective
The largest requirements under Pillar 1
of a series of protracted and overlapping
were in the Middle East and North Africa
crises in these two regions.
for operations in Lebanon ($607 million)
and Jordan ($427 million); in the East
and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes

20 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 21
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

CHART 3 | 2020 vs 2019 EXPENDITURE | USD millions The Americas | Expenditure grew by the pandemic, UNHCR advocated the
$69 million or 28%. inclusion of people of concern in national
health responses, vaccination campaigns
The increase was spread across the
and social protection schemes, and some
1,600 region, with the most significant growth
USD Millions

520,383 vulnerable refugees and asylum-

2020 Global expenditure : $4,838 million in Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and
$1,353 seekers received cash assistance
1,400
2019 Global expenditure : $4,415 million Honduras. In Colombia, UNHCR supported
$1,253
1,200
+9.6% an additional 64,000 displaced people Middle East and North Africa |
through protection monitoring, advocacy, Expenditure grew by $100 million or 8%.
1,000 outreach and assistance, and supported
$863
The increases were mainly in Jordan,
800
$796
access to asylum through innovative
Lebanon, Libya, and Yemen, with
technologies in Ecuador. With continued
COVID-19 exacerbating already
600
$497 $509 $486 forced displacement in the north of
$442
$386
$443 $463
Central America, UNHCR supported precarious humanitarian situations in the
400 $330
$252
$321
government reception facilities in region. UNHCR supported national health
$234
200
$196 $199 $211
Honduras and provided assistance capacities so that people of concern
$9 $9 and protection at border locations could be supported through national
0
+9% +2% +34% +28% +15% +2% +8% +5% -10% +2% in Guatemala. Cash assistance in the systems. Across the region, 5.2 million
region supported some 374,000 people. people benefited from community

s
pe
fic
La a

ca

m al
a

rs
as

Af d

O
s

es
outreach services, while 2.6 million
at f ric

ric

ra ob
t h an
ke

r te
ci
fri

JP
ro
ic

ric

m
Af

Pa
re A

lA

og G l
er

Eu

or s t

ua
Asia and the Pacific | Expenditure grew
G of

Am
rn

women and girls accessed information on

N Ea
ra

dq
th
he
t h rn

nt

ea
e

d
Ce
d Ho

by $56 million or 15%.

dl
ut

Pr
Th

an

protection risks and services. Large-scale

H
id
So
e

nd
an d

M
ia
an

ta

As

distribution of emergency core relief

st

Increases included Myanmar and

es
Ea

2019 final expenditure 2020 final expenditure Pakistan. Some 1.4 million refugees, IDPs items continued in Libya, Syria, and
and other people of concern accessed Yemen, where more than 50 million core
protection services and 797,561 people relief items were distributed. UNHCR
received cash assistance to mitigate the provided support to over 30,000 survivors
By region Southern Africa | Expenditure grew by
impact of COVID-19. In Bangladesh, of gender-based violence with psychosocial
$3 million or nearly 2%. counselling, legal and medical assistance
Increases in expenditure were recorded Malaysia, and Thailand, UNHCR supported
in all regions (see Chart 3). This was The conflict in Cabo Delgado in north- community-based organizations and into the national social welfare system.
mainly attributable to the response to east Mozambique saw UNHCR increase reinforced community networks. With Global programmes | Expenditure grew
COVID-19, but also to new and growing its support to some 530,000 displaced conflict-related internal displacement in
by $24 million or 5%.
displacement crises including those in people. Across the region, some 1.4 million Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the
people of concern received protection Philippines, UNHCR advanced data- The main increases were in the Division
the Sahel, in northern Mozambique,
services, and 261,400 received cash driven protection and solutions for IDPs. of Information Systems and Solutions
and in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
assistance to mitigate the impact of UNHCR worked to reduce and prevent for investments in cyber security,
East and Horn of Africa and the Great COVID-19. statelessness, supporting legal and policy replacement of obsolete equipment,
Lakes | Expenditure grew by $68 million reforms, particularly in Central Asia, and in the Business Transformation
West and Central Africa | Expenditure
or 9%. where the nationality issues of an Programme; and in Executive Direction and
grew by $113 million or 34%.
estimated 34,600 people were resolved. Management due to the strengthening of
The increase included Sudan for the
Major increases were in Burkina Faso, the Enterprise Risk Management 2.0 in field
emergency in Ethiopia, providing Europe | Expenditure grew by $12 million
Mali, Niger and Nigeria. In response operations and the creation of a small
assistance to some 55,000 refugees or 2%.
to the emergency in the Sahel, some liaison office for the regional bureaux.
from Tigray. Over 6 million people 154,000 people received shelter The main increase was in Greece, where
accessed health care services and Headquarters | Expenditure decreased by
assistance, and almost 80,000 households UNHCR worked with the Government to
benefited from organized information $23 million or nearly 10%.
received core relief items. UNHCR quickly identify and move people at high
campaigns about COVID-19. UNHCR biometrically registered more than risk of COVID-19 to safer accommodation All regions recorded a slight increase
also disbursed $30.2 million in 1.2 million people across the region, under the “Emergency Support to Integration of expenditure due to the new regional
cash assistance to 1 million people and over 1 million people received health and Accommodation programme”. bureaux having been relocated from
of concern. care services. Throughout the region, in response to Headquarters to the field.

22 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 23
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

EXPENDITURE
CHART 4
VIA PARTNERS
| EXPENDITURE | 2020 | 2020
VIA PARTNERS communities, in 36 countries. Partners 2020 RMRP for the Venezuela situation,
appealed for more than $10.9 billion, for partners piloted a sector-based
which $5.2 billion was received. environmental self-assessment,
$1.455 billion spent via 1,143 partners
introducing an environment marker to
The RRPs evolved from emergency
ensure that environmental considerations
responses to more comprehensive
223 Government 728 National NGO are integrated into project planning and
partners, $173.4M partners, $630.2M responses strengthening livelihoods and
mainstreamed into the overall response.
resilience. A key lesson from the 2020
In addition to its leadership of RRPs,
response was the need for RRPs to
UNHCR participated in 23 of the
integrate new health and socioeconomic
25 Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs)
needs arising from the COVID-19
178 International NGO partners, 14 UN agencies, led by Humanitarian Coordinators, out of
$637.4M $14.1M pandemic within the humanitarian
which it coordinated 15 refugee chapters.
responses, in particular for situations
where underlying vulnerabilities were Table 3 displays how UNHCR used its
UNHCR disbursed $1.455 billion to arrangements by reducing the length
already exacerbated by conflict and various sources of income to cover its
1,143 partners, including to 728 national NGOs. and complexity of required documentation,
violence. Understanding the different expenditure, and highlights how the
UNHCR again exceeded its Grand Bargain and by increasing budgetary flexibility
dynamics of climate change on unearmarked funding was allocated.
commitment of 25% of operational a partner can apply within an agreement.
displacement, partners continued Unearmarked income was allocated
programme expenditure going to local The Office worked closely with other
environmental mainstreaming. For throughout the year in line with identified
and national responders, defined as UN agencies, most notably within the
example, in the development of the priorities and needs, and according to
including Governments, communities, framework of the UN Partner Portal,
Red Cross and Red Crescent National to harmonize procedures, including on
Societies, and local civil societies, risk and capacity assessments.
with 28%. UNHCR simplified partnership TABLE 3 | UNHCR 2020 TOTAL EXPENDITURE BY SOURCE OF FUNDING | USD thousands

SOURCE OF FUNDING

Carry-over from prior years Voluntary cash contributions United

TABLE 2 | REFUGEE RESPONSE PLANS Voluntary
in-kind
Indirect
support
Nations Other
TOTAL
Softly Regular income2
Earmarked Unearmarked Earmarked Unearmarked contributions costs
earmarked1 Budget
2020
FIELD OPERATIONS
Inter-agency budget Inter-agency funding Percent funded as at
RRP East and Horn of Africa
(USD) received (USD) 31 December 2020 and the Great Lakes 31,930 14,127 578,434 138,518 39,744 23,909 7,577 29,065 863,304
Southern Africa 982 15,881 64,201 56,430 44,677 3,906 5,964 7,452 199,493
Burundi 299,769,628 118,880,396 39.66%
West and Central Africa 21,452 18,039 204,626 106,043 50,749 26,382 5,628 9,531 442,450
DRC 638,709,377 142,081,468 22.25%
Africa 54,364 48,048 847,261 300,990 135,170 54,197 19,169 46,048 1,505,247
Nigeria 1 138,378,441 64,602,053 46.69%
Americas 15,895 7,888 186,099 70,261 22,191 5,440 8,024 5,032 320,830
South Sudan 1,429,908,307 359,811,922 25.16%
Asia and the Pacific 33,024 13,424 284,469 55,300 38,829 3,945 6,631 7,319 442,940
Syria 3RP 1 5,995,975,757 3,201,787,882 53.40%
Europe 17,232 17,467 386,160 28,207 49,140 2,034 7,862 1,020 509,121
Venezuela RMRP 2 1,407,580,169 700,808,665 49.79%
Middle East and
JRP for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis 2 1,058,092,856 625,303,532 59.10% North Africa 54,762 10,109 1,120,433 98,877 28,439 4,028 8,044 28,194 1,352,887

TOTAL 10,968,414,535 5,213,275,918 47.53% TOTAL FIELD

175,277 96,936 2,824,423 553,635 273,769 69,645 49,730 87,613 4,131,026
1 Co-lead with UNDP
OPERATIONS
2 Co-lead with IOM
Global Programmes 2,221 62,523 43,350 78,339 196,392 15,818 87,607 486,250
Headquarters 129 145 9,522 161,500 40,111 211,407
Operational Reserve
and new or additional
-
Refugee coordination in 2020
activities - mandate
coordinated seven Refugee Response -related reserve
Plans (RRPs) with a regional perspective Junior Professional
8,983 8,983
Strengthening partnerships and (see Table 2). Overall, 685 inter-agency
Officers Fund

promoting inter-agency coordination for partners worked to assist over 13.3 million TOTAL 177,627 159,459 2,876,901 631,974 470,160 94,985 211,230 40,111 175,219 4,837,666
% of total expenditure 4% 3% 59% 13% 10% 2% 4% 1% 4% 100%
large-scale or complex refugee situations, refugees, migrants and returnees, and
Notes:
including for mixed movements, UNHCR some 12.7 million members of host 1)
Includes contributions earmarked at the regional, subregional, situation or thematic level
2)
Includes miscellaneous income, prior year adjustments, cancellations and other internal transfers

24 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 25
 OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

the overall objectives of kickstarting and published procedures on electronic INCOME

emergency operations; bolstering signatures and mitigating measures for
underfunded operations; and enabling the pandemic. Committees on Contracts Including funds raised for implementation total contributions came to $4.776 billion. Global Strategic Priorities
Mobilization of support
programmes to implement fully. (CoCs) operated remotely, with beyond 2020, UNHCR raised $4.736 billion UNHCR had $5.404 billion available See p. 17 for GSP result

emergency procedures in various in voluntary contributions, a record level. against budgetary needs once
Global Strategic Priorities UNHCR funded $211.2 million of With the assessed contribution of the the adjustments shown in Chart 5
Mobilization of support locations and an e-submission tool for
See p. 17 for GSP result expenditure from indirect support costs, UN Regular Budget of $40.1 million, are taken into account.
CoCs was developed for 2021.
$161.5 million at Headquarters and
$49.7 million to the regions. Earmarked Accounts were recorded in full
voluntary contributions funded 59% of compliance with IPSAS. However, due
to the pandemic, the external audit was
CHART 5 | CONTRIBUTIONS AND FUNDS AVAILABLE | 2020
UNHCR operations’ expenditure, while
softly earmarked and unearmarked forced to shift to a virtual model. UNHCR
voluntary contributions funded 13% adjusted and finished the closure of the
and 10% respectively. The largest
expenditures funded from earmarked
2019 accounts, supporting the audit, and
ultimately obtained an unqualified opinion
Past years 2020 Future years
on its financial statements. The fieldwork
voluntary contributions were in the Contributions Funds available
Middle East and North Africa, followed for the 2020 audit was supported virtually
by the East and Horn of Africa and the with results expected in 2021. $4.776 billion $5.404 billion
Great Lakes, and Europe at 39%, 20% Cash assistance was also supported Contributions
and 13% respectively. No unearmarked by a robust financial control framework $106.1 million for future years
funding was used for Headquarters. and business processes embedded
Global Strategic Priorities
Throughout the year, UNHCR’s in the delivery system. Cash assistance
Financial Accountability Contributions
and Oversight programmes were carried out in an amounting to $695 million (compared $92.5 million
from past years
See p. 15 for GSP result
environment of sound financial to $646 million in 2019) was provided
accountability and oversight. Financial with oversight and expertise in financial
management at UNHCR Headquarters and risk management and in review
of financial policy and associated Carry-over
and in the field was strengthened, and $410.9 million
from past years
adequate internal control infrastructure procedures for cash assistance
implementation. Monitoring of cash
was in place. For example, the launch of
assistance with operations included
a PowerBI tool allowed offices to access
assessment and due diligence of global
and monitor local and regional financial
financial ecosystems, and validation of Other funds available $229.8 million
data in real time. The Statement of
accessibility of financial service provision and adjustments
Internal Controls was published for
meeting requirements in mobile and
the first time in 2020 for 2019, and
digital money. UNHCR also supported
the groundwork started for the 2020
the digitalization and delivery of new $40.1 million UN regular budget $40.1 million
issuance.
payment mechanisms and modalities,
It introduced standardized self- further enhancing secure and direct
assessment of local internal controls, delivery of cash assistance to directly
allowing global reporting. UNHCR reach the global financial ecosystems
Voluntary contributions
prioritized COVID-19-relevant guidance and people of concern. $4.630 billion acknowledged in 2020 $4.630 billion
for implementation in 2020

26 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 27
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

Income from the top ten donors average contributions, UNHCR received In-kind contributions such as support for triple the level of in-kind giving from 2019,
increased support in 2020 from several of premises, provision of standby partners attributable in part to significant new
Since 2010, the top ten donors have
the top ten donors—notably the United and other goods and services, came to clothing donations and large quantities of
provided annually between 74-79% of
States, the European Union, Germany, $95 million which included $68.5 million in-kind hygiene products and medical PPE
UNHCR’s voluntary contributions. When
and CERF. from the private sector. This represented for the COVID-19 response.
compared with their prior five-year

CHART 6 | CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE TOP TEN DONORS | 2020 CHART 7 | SOURCES OF INCOME | 2020

UN pooled funding and UN Regular Budget

intergovernmental donors $40.1 million | 1%
$151.0 million | 3%
All other donors | 21% | $1.009 billion
Private
donors
$537.5 million
The Netherlands | 2% | $93.6 million United States of America United States of America

Denmark | 2% | $96.6 million

42% | $1.973 billion Other governments 11% $1.973 billion | 42%
$461.7 million | 10%
The top ten donors
España con ACNUR | 2% | $102.6 million provided $3.728 billion,
or 79% of all
Central Emergency Response Fund Governments and
2% | $107 million voluntary contributions
the European Union
Sweden | 3% | $124.7 million
$4.048 billion

85%
Japan | 3% | $126.3 million European Union
and EU Member States
United Kingdom | 3% | $134.7 million $1.613 billion | 34%

Germany | 9% | $446.9 million

European Union
11% | $522.1 million

Quality of income
Definitions
Overall funding from donors giving over Qatar remained a strong partner,
$20 million—the $20 Million Club— increasing its contributions by 16% to total Unearmarked Softly earmarked Earmarked Tightly earmarked Multi-year
funding funding funding funding funding
increased by 5% in 2019 and by 11% in $23.8 million in 2020. This is in contrast
2020. More than half of the increase was to an overall decline in contributions Contributed without Allows UNHCR to Contributions for Contributions that Pledged for 24 months
from the United States Government alone restrictions on its allocate resources a specific country are earmarked for or more. Whilst
from the Gulf region. Kuwait decreased
use. It provides across a range without any a specific project not all multi-year
($266.4 million, a 16% increase). Other the most, from $20.1 million in 2019 to UNHCR with of countries and further limitations. or sector within a funding is flexible,
notable increases among top donors $3.6 million (an 82% decrease), dropping vital flexibility in activities in a given Also includes country or division. the value of this type
came from CERF ($58.2 million, 119%), out of the $20 Million Club. Saudi Arabia determining how region or situation, contributions for Also includes in-kind of contribution is its
best to protect and or a specific Pillar, the response to an contributions and predictability, allowing
Germany ($56.4 million, 14%), and the declined 16%, from $37 million to assist people of theme or activity emergency situation Junior Professional UNHCR to apportion
European Union ($49.1 million, 14%). Taken $31 million in 2020. concern who are in in accordance with within a specified Officers. resources where they
together, funding from the EU and its the greatest need or identified priorities. country. are needed most at the
Member States came to $1.613 billion. Contributions from the CERF increased at the greatest risk. beginning of the year.
Ireland and Spain both increased their significantly to $107 million (a 119% increase)
level of contributions to surpass the while country-based pooled funds
$20 million level in 2020 (to $22.3 million dropped to $13.9 million (a 14% decline). Levels of earmarking (see Chart 8) in 2020 unearmarked and softly earmarked Full details available
at the flexible funding
and $21.2 million, respectively), while Contributions from development funding remained similar to 2019, in line with an funding—represented 29% of voluntary dashboard on
Austria significantly increased its sources decreased $45.5 million (22%) overall trend of increased earmarking in contributions. This was $120 million more Global Focus.

contribution from $3.6 million in 2019 to from $246.3 million in 2019 to funds provided to UNHCR. At $1.376 billion, than 2019, when it represented 30% of
$10.1 million in 2020. $200.8 million in 2020. flexible funding—which comprises voluntary contributions.

28 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 29
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

CHART 8 | LEVELS OF EARMARKING | 2012-2020 Unearmarked funding, which is unearmarked donor ($88.1 million);
contributed without restrictions on its use, notably, these funds are also predictable
came to $661.2 million. This was only and multi-year. The private sector
$1.7 million more than in 2019 and provided 37% of UNHCR’s unearmarked
Voluntary contributions have $4.736 billion
5,000
comprised 14% of all voluntary funding. This was a 6% increase from
USD millions

more than doubled between 2012

contributions. Unearmarked funding from $242.3 million in 2019 to $256.4 million in
and 2020 with the main increase $4.141 billion $4.174 billion
4,500
being in earmarked contributions.
4,000
$3.902 billion $3.899 billion
25% the public sector decreased 3% from 2020. Espaňa con ACNUR remained the
$3.292 billion $3.361 billion
27% 25% $417.2 million in 2019 to $404.8 million. second largest donor to UNHCR of such
3,500 22% 20%
$2.919 billion Sweden continued to be the largest funds with $83.4 million.
3,000 24%
$2.272 billion 30%
2,500 34% 46%
43% 45% 40% 45%
2,000 28% 40% CHART 10 | QUALITY OF INCOME BY TOP TEN DONORS | IN 2020
37%
1,500 20% 30%

1,000 20% 20% 18% 14% 15%

32% 18% 22%
20% United States
500 of America
$1.973 billion | 42%
16% 15% 15% 14% 15% 15% 16% 14%
20%
0
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 European Union and
$1.613 billion | 34%
EU Member States

Unearmarked Softly earmarked Earmarked Tightly earmarked All other donors $814.4 million | 17%

Japan $126.3 million | 3% European Union and EU Member States

European Union $522.1 million | 11%
Germany $446.9 million | 9%
Central Emergency
$107.0 million | 2% Other EU Member States $194.2 million | 4%
Response Fund
United Kingdom $134.7 million | 3%
España con ACNUR $102.6 million | 2% Sweden $124.7 million | 3%

CHART 9 | TIMING OF PLEDGES IN 2020 VERSUS 2019 (Spain) Denmark $96.6 million | 2%
Netherlands $93.6 million | 2%

5,000 USD millions 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000

USD millions

4,500 There was a total increase of 13% of voluntary

contributions in 2020, mainly recorded between April
and December. Earmarking levels were similar to 2019's, Unearmarked Softly Earmarked Earmarked Tightly earmarked
4,000
with about half of UNHCR's unearmarked funding 25%
received at the beginning of the year. This was an
3,500 invaluable demonstration of support and predictability.

3,000

2,500 SPOTLIGHT: Mr. Per Olsson Fridh, Sweden's Minister for International
2,000
46%
Development Cooperation, explains the commitment to unearmarked funding.
1,500 “Sweden’s multi-year, unearmarked contributions to UNHCR are intended to be flexible,
predictable and timely, helping UNHCR to be agile in responding to new emergencies, supporting
1,000 15%
refugees in forgotten and underfunded situations, and fully funding a wide range of programmes across
500 the globe. We have confidence that the flexible funding provided is directed to where the needs are
14
0 greatest, making our contribution as impactful as possible for the displaced populations and host
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec communities we support through our partnership with UNHCR. As a leader in the provision of unearmarked
funding over many years, we encourage UNHCR to continue to expand its base of unearmarked
Unearmarked Earmarked 2019 Unearmarked 2019 Earmarked
contributors and invite other donors to follow our example.”
Softly earmarked Tightly earmarked 2019 Softly earmarked 2019 Tightly earmarked

30 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 31
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

TABLE 4 | FLEXIBLE FUNDING IN 2020 | USD

DONOR UNEARMARKED SOFTLY EARMARKED TOTAL FLEXIBLE
SPOTLIGHT: The United States—collaboration in the face of
emergencies
United States of America 346,300,000 346,300,000 The United States continued its strong support to UNHCR’s operational reserve
Germany 25,852,585 143,388,266 169,240,851 by providing a record $94 million towards its Reserve Pledge for Emergencies. This flexible
Sweden 88,164,283 18,367,541 106,531,824 funding allowed UNHCR to respond swiftly to a rising series of emergencies, particularly
España con ACNUR (National Partner in Spain) 83,378,828 9,403,778 92,782,606 during the last quarter of 2020, while also meeting the needs of the COVID-19 pandemic.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 49,025,951 30,189,083 79,215,034 In particular, support from the United States allowed UNHCR to immediately respond to
Denmark 34,604,624 21,982,569 56,587,193 the outflow of tens of thousands of people into Sudan from Tigray. The operation in Sudan
Norway 41,416,894 5,220,426 46,637,320 was thus able to deploy critical resources along the border with Ethiopia to meet the dire
Private donors in the Republic of Korea 41,307,544 5,243,523 46,551,067 humanitarian needs by ramping up infrastructure such as reception, registration, and
Japan for UNHCR 40,081,905 4,458,013 44,539,918 transportation, providing urgent assistance such as shelter and healthcare, and life-saving
Netherlands 36,105,033 2,247,191 38,352,224 protection such as family reunification and support for victims of gender-based violence.
Japan 23,825,696 7,806,122 31,631,818
UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe (National Partner in Germany) 587 30,808,597 30,809,184
Canada 9,431,138 13,726,419 23,157,557
Private donors in Italy 20,232,967 2,290,346 22,523,313
Multi-year funding is another measure supply chains, staffing capabilities in the
of flexibility and predictability for UNHCR field, and core operations. UNHCR was
Finland 7,700,770 14,205,732 21,906,502
Flexible funding operations (see Chart 11). It reduces the able to draw on close to $618 million in
Sweden for UNHCR represented 29% of 18,551,091 1,872,367 20,423,458
voluntary contributions negative impact of income fluctuations multi-year funding in 2020. Of particular
France 14,001,759 4,898,363 18,900,122
in 2020. throughout the year which can have note are the multi-year contributions
Switzerland 16,376,663 16,376,663
knock-on effects across all areas of from Belgium and Sweden, respectively
Australia for UNHCR 15,263,747 15,263,747
UNHCR operations, from emergency 98% and 91% unearmarked.
USA for UNHCR 10,778,552 4,128,190 14,906,742
All other donors 100,403,351 33,690,901 134,094,252

TOTAL 661,240,221 715,491,174 1,376,731,395

CHART 11 | TOP TEN DONORS OF MULTI-YEAR CONTRIBUTIONS | USD millions

European Union $173.2 million

Softly earmarked funding, which can be Middle East and North Africa ($99 million or
Sweden $169.8 million | 91% unearmarked
used across a range of countries and 7%) and Southern Africa ($56 million or 28%).
activities in a given region or situation, Netherlands $165.8 million | 44% unearmarked
Softly earmarked funding is used especially
came to $715.5 million (an increase of Denmark $157.4 million | 44% unearmarked
in countries affected by emergency
$118.3 million from 2019). At 15% of
contributions received, this was a 1% situations. In 2020, over $10 million in Germany $100.9 million

increase from 2019. Softly earmarked softly earmarked funding was used in Switzerland $98.8 million | 52% unearmarked 2020
contributions funded 13% of total field Bangladesh, Burundi, Cameroon, the
2021
United Kingdom $93.3 million | 34% unearmarked
expenditures. At the regional level, the Central African Republic, Chad, the
2022
largest expenditure funded by softly Democratic Republic of the Congo, Canada $78.2 million | 48% unearmarked
2023 onwards
earmarked contributions were in the East Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Niger, Qatar $53.1 million | 15% unearmarked
and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sudan,
Belgium $46.5 million | 98% unearmarked
($139 million or 16%), followed by West and the Syrian Arab Republic, the United
Central Africa ($106 million or 24%) and Republic of Tanzania, Uganda and Yemen. All other donors $175.7 million | 19% unearmarked

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

32 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 33
European Union $173.2 million
 OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

CHART 12 | PRIVATE SECTOR CONTRIBUTIONS in Beirut, the Moria fire in Greece, and UNHCR. The Ramadan campaign raised
AND DONOR NUMBERS | 2013-2020 Tigray. In total, support to new or ongoing $8 million globally. Aiming Higher
and deteriorating emergencies brought in launched in December 2020, raising over
more than $197 million in 2020 of which $1 million in its first week to fund refugee
$537.5 34% came from individuals and 66% from scholarships. CTP, a leading industrial
550
+28% 3.5 private sector partners. This was the highest European property developer, was the
500 emergency-related income ever raised first large contributor to the campaign and
450 3.0 from private donors representing over 36% generously funded 70 scholarships for
$422 $421 2.8
$400 million of UNHCR’s total private income in 2020. four years. The winterization campaign
400
2.5 brought in $5.34 million in digital revenue,
350
$351 2.4 While COVID-19 shifted fundraising
exceeding its target of $5.1 million with
priorities, it also provided new angles of
million

300 $283 2.1 2.0 three months left of the campaign.

1.9 million approach to donors, and the pandemic
ultimately led to increased solidarity and UNHCR’s National Partners
million
250
1.6 1.5
$191 $208 1.5
million million an interest in exploring new ways of
200
partnering with UNHCR, with $52 million UNHCR continues to maintain positive,
Contributions | USD millions

Number of donors | millions

150 1.0 1.0 raised for the pandemic response. strategic relations with its nine National
0.8 million
million
Performance in channels such as direct Partners. In 2020, a new National Partner
100
0.5 response television (DRTV), direct mail was established in Switzerland, whereas
50
and digital marketing increased, and UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe marked its
0 0 digital income reached $90 million, 40 th anniversary and achieved the best
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
30% growth compared to 2019. result so far in its history. España con
Contributions Number of donors Corporates, foundations and private ACNUR remained the largest contributor
philanthropists also stepped up in larger with a record $103 million transferred
numbers and contributed 69% more than to UNHCR.
in 2019. UNHCR received the largest Australia for UNHCR | Despite the impact
in-kind donations to-date from GAP Inc. of the bushfires, Australia for UNHCR
($22.7 million), Unilever ($19.6 million) recorded significant increases of income
Raising funds from the private sector and Inditex ($7.6 million), with the single across individuals and middle-and
largest individual donor for the second high-net worth donors. Emergency
Global Strategic Priorities
2020 was a record-breaking year for all regions and all income streams year in a row being H.E. Sheikh Thani Bin
Mobilization of support appeals were launched for COVID-19,
See p. 17 for GSP result UNHCR’s private sector fundraising. performed above plan and above 2019 Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani. Ethiopia, Lebanon and the Syria crisis.
Together with its National Partners, results. Despite the evident difficulties in
Global campaigns raised over $15 million. The annual World Refugee Day breakfast
UNHCR raised an unprecedented 2020 with face-to-face fundraising, the
UNHCR successfully piloted Connecting featuring UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
$537.5 million, including over number of UNHCR’s individual donors
Worlds, a mobile application and Cate Blanchett was a virtual event
$256.4 million in unearmarked funding. increased from 2.4 million to 2.8 million
ecosystem to raise funds for cash and attracted a record attendance of
This was an overall 28% growth in income and the final total income from individuals
assistance. Developed based on insights 750 people. In its 20 th anniversary year,
compared to 2019, exceeding 2020’s reached $340 million. Income from
from refugees and donors, the app was Australia for UNHCR launched the Leading
ambitious fundraising target of corporations, foundations and private
tested in four countries, where it proved a Women’s Fund, a unique community
$500 million. philanthropists came to $198 million,
successful engagement and fundraising of dynamic and passionate women
an unprecedented 37% of the total
After a period of rapid growth in private product. Step with Refugees, a new committed to supporting refugee women
private sector income and a 69% increase
donor income for UNHCR and peer iteration of "2 Billion Kilometres to Safety", and girls through donations and the
over 2019 income from the same
organizations in 2015-2017, there was launched as a virtual month-long peer- Connecting World app. In October 2020,
donor segment.
stabilization in 2018 and a challenging to-peer challenge asking participants to the cause-related marketing campaign
year in 2019. Although a downturn was Growth in 2020 was driven largely by a seek sponsorship to complete a refugee’s Design for a Cause was launched with
expected in 2020 due to COVID-19, swift response to emergencies such as to journey distance. The campaign will help Australian online graphic design platform
private sector fundraising picked up and COVID-19, the crisis in Idlib, the explosion establish community fundraising for Canva, to support refugee education.

34 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 35
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

CHART 13 | INCOME FROM NATIONAL PARTNERS | 2020 Sweden for UNHCR | There was a very UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe (Germany) |
positive outcome in 2020, mainly in Celebrated its 40 th anniversary by
response to emergency appeals for raising 24% more than in 2019. COVID-19
USA for UNHCR Australia for UNHCR the Moria fire, the Sahel, Idlib, COVID-19 forced the rescheduling of several
$50.5 million $16.3 million and Ethiopia. The Moria fire in particular fundraising activities and a new focus
143,312 individual donors 87,619 individual donors
saw the Swedish public respond on successful mailing, telemarketing
generously and quickly, resulting in and digital channels. Existing donors
UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe
the highest private fundraising in Europe remained loyal, and emergency
$34.3 million with over $500,000 raised in a communication exceeded all expectations.
287,069 individual donors UNHCR’s National Partners
raised $276.6 million, few weeks. In honour of the anniversary, partnerships
or 51% of all income from were initiated with prominent figures in
UK for UNHCR the private sector. Switzerland for UNHCR (CH4U) | This
$5.5 million arts and culture such as the pianist and
55,627 individual donors new partner was established in March
National Partners raised
España con ACNUR conductor Daniel Barenboim and the
$153 million in unearmarked
$102.6 million
2020. Several new strategic partnerships
funding, accounting for 60% of all theatre director Johan Simons. An
Switzerland for UNHCR unearmarked funds raised by 719,467 individual donors were developed with philanthropists
$539,004 the private sector. innovative nationwide art lottery, HEART,
and foundations while the first individual
1,744 individual donors was organized and raised 1 million euros
campaign was launched in December
Sweden for UNHCR
for UNHCR, thanks to the participation
2020, reaching 100,000 households
$21.6 million of over 100 artists committed to raise
173,483 individual donors with encouraging results.
awareness for refugees and connect with
Japan for UNHCR Fundación ACNUR Comité Argentino UK for UNHCR | Another recently new and existing donors.
$44.9 million $265,000
-established National Partner created in
199,924 individual donors 16,789 individual donors USA for UNHCR | Despite the challenges
mid-2019 that become fully operational in
of 2020, USA for UNHCR closed the year
2020, it contributed $5.5 million in 2020,
with its highest revenue to date thanks to
mostly from key partnerships, including
its strong foundations and relationships.
a $3.9 million contribution from a joint
A partnership with Gap Inc., with an
España con ACNUR (Spain) | España con combined showed promise. Key initiatives Unilever-UK Government fund for
additional donation from Citizens of
ACNUR continued to grow due to the included Ponchos Azules for World COVID-19 response.
Humanity, launched a transformational
effective diversification of its fundraising Refugee Day, and the Concert with
The charity also raised some $100,000 gift-in-kind programme that provided
channel mix. While the private Refugees on World Music Day which
from individual giving donors. This was more than 6 million pieces of clothing.
philanthropy unit closed one of the most reached over 30 million people with
in addition to nearly $10 million that Throughout the year, the voices of
profitable agreements in the history of 25 celebrities supporting the campaigns
individuals in the UK donated to UNHCR refugees in the United States were lifted
this National Partner with Inditex, the and more than 200 positive impacts in
in 2020 before the charity was fully up, bringing Americans together to
individual giving team faced COVID-19 the media.
operational, particularly for COVID-19, advocate for and support refugees.
head on, managing the negative impact
Japan for UNHCR | Despite COVID-19, Yemen, winterization, the Beirut In the face of so many unique workplace
on the performance of the regular donor
donations from individuals and private explosion, the Moria fire, the Democratic challenges created by the pandemic,
database. These joint efforts, combined
sector donors increased significantly. Republic of the Congo, and other culture and connection were prioritized,
with creative strategies related to
One-off donations increased by more emergencies. and USA for UNHCR was named a
fundraising communications, public
than 50% compared to 2019, and regular Great Place to Work.
engagement, global citizenship education
giving from new and existing individual
and social mobilization, kept on delivering
donors by 36% and 27% respectively.
and offer promise for the future.
Donations from companies, organizations
Fundación ACNUR Comité Argentino and high-value individuals also increased
(Argentina) | A totally new team 91% year-on-year, including a gift for
manoeuvred through the pandemic and the COVID-19 response from Sony
its impacts on the economy and the Corporation. Communication activities
national health system. The team’s including the invitation of a refugee
engagement-first, data-driven, multi- athlete to Japan, and the online music
audience, multichannel, multi-stakeholder and cinema event UNHCR WILL2LIVE,
and diverse content propositions all attracted new audiences.

36 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 37
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

This table shows all contributions coming from all sources, including from governments and the private sector in countries supporting Intergovernmental Authority on Development 644,745 644,745
UNHCR’s work, and from intergovernmental and pooled funding mechanism. As such, it is a way of reflecting the financial Morocco 624,995 953 625,948
support to UNHCR from the “whole-of-society” approach. A traditional donor ranking is available from the Global Focus website. European Economic Area 608,767 608,767
Estonia 549,201 549,201
United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security7 519,302 519,302
TABLE 5 | TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS | 2020 Bailiwick of Jersey 444,146 444,146
United Nations Population Fund 429,995 429,995
INTERGOVERNMENTAL UNDP 402,928 402,928
DONOR GOVERNMENT PRIVATE DONORS UN FUNDS TOTAL
BODIES UN-Habitat 397,405 397,405
South Africa 140,479 242,014 382,493
United States of America 1,973,251,228 62,828,572 2,036,079,800
Argentina 107,100 266,155 373,255
European Union 522,113,339 522,113,339
UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund8 369,217 369,217
Germany 446,900,261 34,330,337 481,230,598
Turkey 340,525 340,525
Japan 126,332,049 52,310,778 178,642,826
Oman 304,532 304,532
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 134,725,928 35,230,696 169,956,623
Kenya 265,973 265,973
Sweden 124,742,413 21,413,554 146,155,967
Croatia 233,918 233,918
Spain1 21,167,370 102,553,172 123,720,542
Bahamas (the) 216,170 216,170
Central Emergency Response Fund2 106,988,819 106,988,819
Portugal 188,907 188,907
Netherlands 93,576,166 10,195,205 103,771,371
Slovakia 175,325 175,325
Denmark 96,555,108 1,110,030 97,665,138
Malta 172,850 172,850
Norway 79,200,679 3,198,521 82,399,200
Kazakhstan 148,936 148,936
Canada 69,517,601 11,198,838 80,716,439
Serbia 99,202 45,029 144,231
Republic of Korea 28,507,097 46,998,798 75,505,895
Angola 120,000 120,000
Qatar 23,868,460 49,620,984 73,489,444
Montenegro 113,059 113,059
Italy 37,492,322 23,629,047 61,121,369
Cyprus 110,833 110,833
France 44,241,599 3,917,080 48,158,678
Romania 106,794 106,794
Switzerland 41,922,836 3,499,762 45,422,597
Indonesia 60,000 44,978 104,978
Australia 28,741,727 16,337,030 45,078,757
World Bank 98,210 98,210
United Nations Regular Budget 40,114,900 40,114,900
Armenia 98,000 98,000
Saudi Arabia 31,000,000 2,412,045 33,412,045
United Nations Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund9 90,000 90,000
Finland 27,351,370 27,351,370
Slovenia 88,916 88,916
Ireland 22,260,205 203 22,260,407
Nigeria 63,735 19,962 83,697
Belgium 21,726,476 515,139 22,241,615
UN Women 82,781 82,781
China 1,765,630 12,606,346 14,371,976
WHO 81,587 81,587
Country-based pooled funds3 13,933,341 13,933,341
United Nations Joint SDG Fund10 81,067 81,067
United Arab Emirates 3,663,083 8,226,597 11,889,680
India 74,360 74,360
Austria 10,058,995 58,168 10,117,164
Bulgaria 70,991 70,991
Luxembourg 8,667,211 8,667,211
Guyana 63,531 63,531
African Development Bank Group 8,536,234 8,536,234
Lithuania 55,006 55,006
Education Cannot Wait4 7,943,973 7,943,973
Colombia 35,000 15,000 50,000
Kuwait 3,639,490 3,613,328 7,252,818
Holy See 40,000 40,000
Thailand 20,000 6,878,206 6,898,206
Start-up Fund for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration11 37,500 37,500
New Zealand 5,923,175 5,923,175
Azerbaijan 37,208 37,208
Brazil 266,115 5,286,654 5,552,769
Kyrgyzstan 34,784 34,784
Lebanon 5,425,566 5,425,566
Botswana 30,472 30,472
Czechia 3,420,954 910,973 4,331,926
Uruguay 30,000 30,000
Hungary 3,324,182 3,324,182
Peru 29,357 29,357
Malaysia 3,041,449 3,041,449
Andorra 23,895 23,895
Singapore 60,000 2,307,675 2,367,675
United Nations Albania SDG Acceleration Fund12 23,399 23,399
Philippines 200,000 2,072,830 2,272,830
UNEP 20,000 20,000
UNAIDS 2,189,222 2,189,222
Latvia 17,921 17,921
United Nations Peacebuilding Fund5 2,002,314 2,002,314
Costa Rica 16,282 16,282
Russian Federation 2,000,000 2,000,000
Sri Lanka 15,000 15,000
United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur 1,674,611 1,674,611
Ghana 3,647 3,647
Egypt 1,636,010 1,636,010
WFP 1,348,450 1,348,450
TOTAL * 3,525,672,264 537,532,106 532,001,294 181,244,181 4,776,449,845
Greece 35,545 1,303,547 1,339,092
Iceland 1,327,613 1,327,613
1 The total for the Government of Spain includes a total of $5,390,621 in contributions from other public sources channelled through España con ACNUR.
Poland 1,326,371 1,326,371 2 The Central Emergency Response Fund is a multi-donor funding mechanism. For details, see https://cerf.un.org.
Mexico 58,272 1,198,056 1,256,327 3 Country-based pooled funds are multi-donor funding mechanisms. For details, see https://www.unocha.org/our-work/humanitarian-financing/country-based-pooled-funds-cbpf.
4 Education Cannot Wait is a multi-donor funding mechanism. For details see, https://www.educationcannotwait.org.
Monaco 1,120,114 33,482 1,153,596 5 The United Nations Peacebuilding Fund is a multi-donor funding mechanism. For details, see http://www.unpbf.org.
IOM 1,151,585 1,151,585 6 The Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls is a multi-donor funding mechanism. For details, see https://www.un.org/en/spotlight-initiative.
7 The United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security is a multi-donor funding mechanism. For details, see https://www.un.org/humansecurity.
Afghanistan 704,225 704,225 8 The UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund is a multi-donor funding mechanism. For details, see http://mptf.undp.org/factsheet/fund/COV00.
UNICEF 687,672 687,672 9 The United Nations Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund is a multi-donor funding mechanism. For details, see http://mptf.undp.org/factsheet/fund/MW200.
10 The United Nations Joint SDG Fund is a multi-donor funding mechanism. For details, see https://www.jointsdgfund.org/.
Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women
and girls6
674,113 674,113 11 The Start-up Fund for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is a multi-donor funding mechanism. For details, see http://mptf.undp.org/factsheet/fund/MIG00.
12 The United Nations Albania SDG Acceleration Fund is a multi-donor funding mechanism. For details, see http://mptf.undp.org/factsheet/fund/AL100.
Liechtenstein 524,026 134,656 658,682 * Excludes a total of $92,467,859 acknowledged in prior years for activities implemented in 2020 and includes $106,084,892 acknowledged in 2020 for activities with implementation in 2021 and beyond.

38 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 39
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

TABLE 6 | IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS | 2020 TABLE 6 | IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS | 2020

USD USD

DONOR DESCRIPTION AMOUNT DONOR DESCRIPTION AMOUNT

GOVERNMENT, INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND UN FUNDS PRIVATE DONORS

Angola Premises for the UNHCR office in Luanda 120,000 BabyBjorn Baby products for the UNHCR operation in Colombia 287,500
Argentina Premises for the UNHCR office in Buenos Aires 107,100 BASF SE Hand sanitizer for the UNHCR operation in the Republic of the Congo 227,365
Armenia Premises for the UNHCR office in Yerevan 98,000 Danish Refugee Council Deployment of standby experts to various UNHCR operations 678,000
Austria Premises for the UNHCR office in Vienna 60,000 Fast Retailing (UNIQLO) Clothing for the UNHCR operations in Angola, Belarus, Central African Republic, Chad,
Azerbaijan Premises for the UNHCR warehouse in Baku 7,208 Ethiopia, India, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia and Uganda, 6,062,279
Botswana Premises for the UNHCR office in Gabarone 30,472 Flowcup Hygiene items for the UNHCR operation in Colombia 12,500
Brazil Premises for the UNHCR office in Brasilia 191,115 Fuji Optical Co Limited Optical equipment for the UNHCR operation in Azerbaijan 55,825
Canada Deployment of standby experts for UNHCR Global Programmes 333,488 Fundação Itaú para Educação e Cultura Medicines and medical equipment for the UNHCR operation in Brazil 2,333,567
China Premises for the UNHCR office in Hong Kong SAR (China) 41,520 GAP Clothing for the UNHCR operations in Burkina Faso and Lebanon 22,680,054
Czechia Premises for the UNHCR office in Prague 38,100 GM Holdings Hand sanitizer for the UNHCR operation in Bangladesh 15,038
Denmark Premises for the UNHCR office in Copenhagen 2,567,536 IKEA Foundation Mixed house goods for the UNHCR operations in Croatia and Serbia 83,750
European Union Transportation services for the UNHCR operation in the Islamic Republic of Iran 390,000 Inditex Clothing for the UNHCR operations in Ethiopia and Rwanda 7,552,779
Germany Premises for the UNHCR office in Nuremberg 15,616 International Orthodox Christian Charities School supplies for the UNHCR operation in Greece 15,000
Guyana Premises for the UNHCR office in Georgetown 63,531 LTA Research and Exploration Face shields for the UNHCR operations in Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia,
Hungary Premises for the UNHCR office in Budapest: Sudan and Uganda 1,535,250
Global Service Centre and Regional Representation for Central Europe 3,324,182 Maggie Program NPO Prefabricated school buildings for the UNHCR operation in Kenya 120,347
IOM Plastic tarpaulins for the UNHCR operation in Turkey 224,000 Moncler Clothing for the UNHCR operations in Lebanon and Niger 91,104
Ireland Deployment of standby experts through Irish Aid 436,500 Moran (E.A.) Publishers School books for the UNHCR operation in Kenya 79,543
Kazakhstan Premises for the UNHCR office in Almaty 48,936 Nike Sports clothing and equipment for the UNHCR operation in Kenya 264,529
Kuwait Premises for the UNHCR office in Kuwait City 39,490 Norwegian Refugee Council Deployment of standby experts to various UNHCR operations 3,198,521
Kyrgyzstan Premises for the UNHCR office in Bishkek 34,784 O Boticário Hygiene items for the UNHCR operation in Brazil 28,076
Luxembourg Premises for the UNHCR office at the University of Luxembourg 10,044 Qatar Airways Transportation services to the UNHCR operation in the Islamic Republic of Iran 520,594
Mexico Premises for the UNHCR office in Mexico City 8,272 Reckitt Benckiser Soap and liquid disinfectant for the UNHCR operation in Egypt 13,620
Monaco Deployment of personnel through the Volontariat International de Monaco programme 134,199 Relief Singapore Face masks for the UNHCR operation in Bangladesh 1,014,000
Montenegro Premises for the UNHCR office in Podgorica 102,058 Solvatten Water treatment kits for the UNHCR operation in Uganda 527,378
Morocco Premises for the UNHCR office in Laayoune, Western Sahara 24,995 Tencent Charity Foundation Infrared thermometers for the UNHCR operation in Senegal 166,500
Nigeria Premises for the UNHCR office in Lagos 63,735 Transsion Holdings Surgical masks and computer tablets for the UNHCR operation in Kenya 35,900
Poland Premises for the UNHCR office in Warsaw 826,863 UK for UNHCR Made51 collection for the UNHCR operation in the United Kingdom and new clothing for
Qatar Tablet computers from the Government of Qatar via Qatar Charity for the UNHCR operation the UNHCR operation in Rwanda 214,279
in Malaysia 261,600 Unilever (UK) Soap for 57 UNHCR operations across the world 19,634,147
Republic of Korea Face masks for the COVID-19 response 3,915,000 UPS Corporate Transportation services to the UNHCR operations in Chad, India and Bangladesh 949,460
Romania Premises for the UNHCR office in Bucharest 106,794 Vodafone Foundation Computer equipment for the UNHCR operations in Mozambique and Tanzania 68,669
Serbia Premises for the UNHCR office in Belgrade 94,202 Zivon Cosmetic Hand sanitizer for the UNHCR operation in Pakistan 11,587
South Africa Premises for the UNHCR office in Pretoria 19,481 ZOA Refugee Care Soap for the UNHCR operation in Liberia 27,940
Spain Premises for the UNHCR office in Madrid 356,751
Sweden Deployment of standby experts by Swedish Rescue Services (MSB) to various UNHCR SUBTOTAL 68,505,101
operations 1,428,500
Switzerland Face masks for the COVID-19 response, deployment of standby experts to various UNHCR TOTAL 94,985,075
operations and premises for the UNHCR HQ in Geneva due to Switzerland’s host-state policy
that provides excellent conditions for international organizations to work effectively 7,065,682
Turkey Blankets for the UNHCR operation in Bangladesh 40,525
United Arab Emirates Premises for the UNHCR warehouse in Dubai provided through the International Humanitarian
City and transportation services to the UNHCR operations in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, © UNHCR/Sylvie Tougouma Gap Inc. and Inditex make a landmark donation
Somalia and Sudan 3,463,083 in 2020 of $30.2 million worth of new clothing
United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland
Deployment of standby experts to various UNHCR operations 105,500
to UNHCR operations
UNDP Mosquito nets for the UNHCR operation in Chad 281,110 Thanks to generous contributions from Gap Inc. and Inditex,
two of the world’s largest fashion retailers, nearly 7 million units of clothing
SUBTOTAL 26,479,974 were donated to refugees in Armenia, Burkina Faso, Lebanon and Rwanda.
Brokered by UNHCR’s National Partners USA for UNHCR and España
con ACNUR, the in-kind gifts represent more than one third of the annual
global demand for clothing and are two of the single biggest new clothing
donations to date for UNHCR. Valued together at nearly $60 million over two
years, these partnerships also created a more sustainable model to support
the achievement of SDG12 on responsible consumption and production.

40 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 41
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

TABLE 7 | TRANSFERS FROM THE OPERATIONAL RESERVE | 2020 TABLE 7 | TRANSFERS FROM THE OPERATIONAL RESERVE | 2020

Pillar 1 Pillar 3 Pillar 4 Total

1. OPERATIONAL RESERVE APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IN OCTOBER 2019 624,025,861
2. TRANSFERS FROM THE OPERATIONAL RESERVE ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
Afghanistan Strengthening UNHCR's emergency preparedness and response for COVID-19: - 6,085,150 - 6,085,150
Pillar 1 Pillar 3 Pillar 4 Total
Indonesia 1. Supporting health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) prevention 2,320,120 - - 2,320,120
AFRICA and service interventions, including national service providers
Regional Bureau East and Horn Extension of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa and Somalia Situation 2. Ramping up cash assistance and economic stimulus for those most affected
& Great Lakes
330,840 - - 330,840 3. Strengthening protection monitoring and critical case management
including provision of psychosocial support and/or legal advice for the
Angola Strengthening UNHCR's emergency preparedness and response for COVID-19: 582,336 - - 582,336 Iran (Islamic Republic of) survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, unaccompanied minors 1,199,400 - - 1,199,400
Burkina Faso 1. Supporting health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) prevention 110,000 - - 110,000 and other emergency protection cases
and service interventions, including national service providers 4. Communication with communities on COVID-19 issues, while ensuring that
Burundi
2. Ramping up cash assistance and economic stimulus for those most affected 4,354,845 - - 4,354,845
the UNHCR response is informed by community feedback
Cameroon Multi-Country Office 3. Reinforcing shelters and providing core relief items in congested urban 190,000 - - 190,000 Japan Support of UNHCR activities related to the Refugee Olympic Team 124,858 - - 124,858
and camp settings
Central African Republic 1,870,000 1,597,515 1,886,188 5,353,703
4. Strengthening protection monitoring, critical case management including Kyrgyzstan Strengthening UNHCR's emergency preparedness and response for COVID-19: 370,000 - - 370,000
Chad provision of psychosocial support and/or legal advice for the survivors of 7,614,546 - - 7,614,546 1. Supporting health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) prevention
Myanmar - - 7,300,000 7,300,000
Congo, Republic of the sexual and gender-based violence, unaccompanied minors and other 1,306,080 - - 1,306,080 and service interventions, including national service providers
emergency protection cases Nepal 2. Ramping up cash assistance and economic stimulus for those most affected 1,261,200 - - 1,261,200
Democratic Rep. of the Congo 5. Communication with communities on COVID-19 issues, while ensuring 150,000 - - 150,000 3. Strengthening protection monitoring and critical case management
Djibouti that the UNHCR response is informed by community feedback 100,000 - - 100,000 including provision of psychosocial support and/or legal advice for the
6. Reinforcing education systems by upgrading school sanitation facilities survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, unaccompanied minors
Ethiopia
and expanding investments in connected education 348,000 - - 348,000
Tajikistan and other emergency protection cases 350,000 - - 350,000
Ghana 7. Maintaining critical refugee registration activities 210,000 - - 210,000 4. Communication with communities on COVID-19 issues, while ensuring
8. Ensuring business continuity by delivering protection and assistance to that the UNHCR response is informed by community feedback
Kenya 8,282,693 - - 8,282,693
all persons of concern in the pandemic context
Malawi 446,968 - - 446,968 SUBTOTAL 5,625,578 6,085,150 7,300,000 19,010,728
Mali 3,648,028 - 3,229,972 6,878,000
EUROPE
Mozambique Emergency response to the needs of IDPs and communities in Cabo Delgado - - 2,265,098 2,265,098
Regional Activities in Europe Strengthening UNHCR's emergency preparedness and response for COVID-19: 300,000 - - 300,000
Mozambique Strengthening UNHCR's emergency preparedness and response for COVID-19: 339,180 - - 339,180
Cyprus 1. Supporting health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) prevention 45,000 - - 45,000
Niger 1. Supporting health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) prevention 6,475,213 - - 6,475,213 and service interventions, including national service providers
and service interventions, including national service providers Greece
2. Strenghtening protection monitoring 195,000 - - 195,000
Nigeria
2. Ramping up cash assistance and economic stimulus for those most affected 1,168,928 - 500,000 1,668,928
3. Ramping up cash assistance
Rwanda 3. Reinforcing shelters and providing core relief items in congested urban 2,039,755 - - 2,039,755 Ukraine 4. Communication with communities on COVID-19 issues, while ensuring that 247,500 - 1,300,000 1,547,500
and camp settings the UNHCR response is informed by community feedback
Somalia 6,104,084 - - 6,104,084
4. Strengthening protection monitoring, critical case management including
South Sudan provision of psychosocial support and/or legal advice for the survivors of 175,000 - - 175,000 SUBTOTAL 787,500 - 1,300,000 2,087,500
Sudan sexual and gender-based violence, unaccompanied minors and other 9,990,236 - - 9,990,236
emergency protection cases THE AMERICAS
Uganda 5. Communication with communities on COVID-19 issues, while ensuring 575,000 - - 575,000
Regional Bureau in the
United Republic of Tanzania that the UNHCR response is informed by community feedback 2,005,229 - - 2,005,229 Americas
Strengthening UNHCR's emergency preparedness for COVID-19 235,000 - - 235,000
6. Reinforcing education systems by upgrading school sanitation facilities
Zambia
and expanding investments in connected education 3,940,981 - - 3,940,981 Regional Activities in the
Americas
72,714 - - 72,714
Zimbabwe 7. Maintaining critical refugee registration activities
8. Ensuring business continuity by delivering protection and assistance to 150,000 - - 150,000 Argentina Multi-Country Office Venezuela situation additional requirements 3,999,092 - - 3,999,092
all persons of concern in the pandemic context"
Brazil 2,372 - - 2,372
SUBTOTAL 62,507,942 1,597,515 7,881,258 71,986,715
Colombia 7,982,426 - - 7,982,426
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Argentina Multi-Country Office Strengthening UNHCR's emergency preparedness and response for COVID-19: 220,079 - - 220,079
Costa Rica 1. Supporting health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) 3,300,000 - - 3,300,000
Egypt Strengthening UNHCR's emergency preparedness and response for COVID-19: 9,498,000 - - 9,498,000 prevention and service interventions, including national service
Syrian Arab Republic 1. Supporting health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) prevention 945,886 - 610,686 1,556,572 Guatemala
providers 902,800 - - 902,800
and service interventions, including national service providers Honduras 2. Strenghtening protection monitoring - - 2,700,000 2,700,000
2. Ramping up cash assistance and economic stimulus for those most affected 3. Ramping up cash assistance
3. Strengthening protection monitoring and critical case management Mexico
4. Communication with communities on COVID-19 issues, while ensuring
3,730,535 - - 3,730,535
including provision of psychosocial support and/or legal advice for the Panama Multi-Country Office that the UNHCR response is informed by community feedback 1,925,000 - 1,700,000 3,625,000
Tunisia survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, unaccompanied minors and 1,746,000 - - 1,746,000
United States Multi-Country
other emergency protection cases
Office
5,976,785 - - 5,976,785
4. Communication with communities on COVID-19 issues, while ensuring
that the UNHCR response is informed by community feedback United States Multi-Country
Office
513,326 - - 513,326
SUBTOTAL 12,189,886 - 610,686 12,800,572 Venezuela situation additional requirements
Venezuela (Bolivarian
Republic of)
5,182,250 - - 5,182,250
SUBTOTAL 34,042,379 - 4,400,000 38,442,379

42 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 43
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

TABLE 7 | TRANSFERS FROM THE OPERATIONAL RESERVE | 2020 TABLE 7 | TRANSFERS FROM THE OPERATIONAL RESERVE | 2020

Pillar 1 Pillar 3 Pillar 4 Total Pillar 1 Pillar 3 Pillar 4 Total

GLOBAL PROGRAMMES HEADQUARTERS

Division of External Relations 1. Private Sector partnerships investment for fundraising 173,940 - - 173,940 Executive direction and
Additional requirements for Ombudsman Office 151,469 - - 151,469
management
2. State of the World's Forcibly Displaced 870,000 - - 870,000
Division of External Relations Support of UNHCR activities related to the Refugee Olympic Team 105,000 - - 105,000
3. Support of UNHCR activities related to the Refugee Olympic Team 735,772 - - 735,772
4. Business Transformation Programme (BTP) for the renewal of the
Division of Strategic Planning 1. Additional resources for the establishment of the new Division 2,107,902 - - 2,107,902
Organization's administrative ERP system
21,317 - - 21,317 and Results
2. Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Staff Harassment additional requirements 183,791 - - 183,791
Division of International 1. Resettlement and complementary pathways 266,589 - - 266,589 3. Business Transformation Programme (BTP) for the renewal of
Protection the Organization's administrative ERP system 21,317 - - 21,317
2. Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Staff Harassment additional
requirements
906,742 - - 906,742
Division of Human Resources 1. Business Transformation Programme (BTP) for the renewal of
the Organization's administrative ERP system
693,767 - - 693,767
Division of Emergency, 1. Strengthening UNHCR's Emergency preparedness for COVID-19 7,500,000 - - 7,500,000
Security and Supply 2. Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Staff Harassment additional
2. Business Continuity for COVID-19 requirements 10,000,000 - - 10,000,000 723,916 - - 723,916
requirements
3. Business Transformation Programme (BTP) for the renewal of the
Organization's administrative ERP system
16,393 - - 16,393 3. Medevac Task Force (UN system-wide Medevac mechanism) 2,374,459 - - 2,374,459
Division of Resilience 1. Joint Data Center 3,696,685 - - 3,696,685 Global Service Centre
Copenhagen
Additional requirements due to revised common service cost 290,671 - - 290,671
and Solutions
2. Global Refugee Forum team additional requirements 625,000 - - 625,000
SUBTOTAL 6,652,292 - - 6,652,292
3. Joint Programme Excellence and Targeting Hub 1,694,000 - - 1,694,000
4. Establishment of the Climate Change Advisory Team 695,079 - - 695,079 "NEW OR ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES - MANDATE-RELATED" (NAM) RESERVE
5. Improved plastic latrine slab project for emergencies 520,137 - - 520,137 NAM reserve Transfer to the NAM reserve 30,000,000 - 30,000,000
6. Strengthening UNHCR's Emergency preparedness for COVID-19 1,902,000 - - 1,902,000 SUBTOTAL 30,000,000 - 30,000,000
7. Green fund to phase out fossil fuel and enhance environmental
management
202,500 - - 202,500
2. TOTAL TRANSFERS 199,442,595 7,682,665 21,491,944 228,617,204
Division of Information 1. CashAssist Project 464,154 - - 464,154 3. BALANCE AFTER TRANSFERS 395,408,657
Systems and
2. Result Based Management project 4,406,000 - - 4,406,000
Telecommunications
3. Strengthening UNHCR's Emergency preparedness for COVID-19 1,554,525 - - 1,554,525
4. Business Continuity 4,864,797 - - 4,864,797
5. PRIMES and Identity Management 1,118,000 - - 1,118,000
6. Business Transformation Programme (BTP) for the renewal of the
Organization's administrative ERP system
1,194,903 - - 1,194,903
Division of Human Resources 1. Reflective Leadership Dialogues 850,000 - - 850,000
2. Business Transformation Programme (BTP) for the renewal of the TABLE 8 | TRANSFERS FROM THE 2020 "NEW OR ADDITIONAL
958,080 - - 958,080
Organization's administrative ERP system ACTIVITIES-MANDATE-RELATED" | 2020
Division of Financial and Business Transformation Programme (BTP) for the renewal of the
Administrative Management Organization's administrative ERP system
114,100 - - 958,080
1. Joint Programme Excellence and Targeting Hub 175,000 - - 175,000
USD
Global Service Centre 2. Global Data Service activities 406,305 - - 406,305
Copenhagen 1. "NEW OR ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES-MANDATE-RELATED" APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IN OCTOBER 2019 20,000,000
3. Strengthening UNHCR's Emergency preparedness for COVID-19 1,000,000 - - 1,000,000
4. PRIMES and Identity Management 705,000 - - 705,000 2. TRANSFERS IN
SUBTOTAL 47,637,018 - - 47,637,018 Pillar 1 Pillar 2 Pillar 3 Pillar 4 Total
OPERATIONAL RESERVE
Operational reserve Transfer from the operational reserve 30,000,000 - - - 30,000,000
2. TOTAL TRANSFERS IN 30,000,000 - - - 30,000,000

3. TRANSFERS OUT

THE AMERICAS
Guatemala Strengthening the Operation's protection and solutions capacity 24,917,912 - - - 24,917,912
Honduras Strengthening the Operation's protection and solutions capacity - - - 11,267,606 11,267,606
Panama Strengthening the Operation's protection and solutions capacity - - - 11,267,606 11,267,606
3. TOTAL TRANSFERS OUT 24,917,912 - - 22,535,212 47,453,124

4. BALANCE AFTER TRANSFERS 2,546,876

44 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 45
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

TABLE 9 | 2020 BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE FOR HEADQUARTERS | USD TABLE 9 | 2020 BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE FOR HEADQUARTERS | USD
PILLAR 1 - REFUGEE PROGRAMME PILLAR 1 - REFUGEE PROGRAMME

DIVISIONS/DEPARTMENTS Budget1 Expenditure1 DIVISIONS/DEPARTMENTS Budget1 Expenditure1

EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND MANAGEMENT

Executive Office 5,388,429 5,388,429 DIVISION OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Liaison Office New York 4,790,998 4,713,194 Office of the Director 3,708,623 3,708,623
Inspector General's Office 11,072,113 11,072,113 Specialized sections 12,458,886 12,458,886
Legal Affairs Section 4,950,497 4,950,497 SUBTOTAL 16,167,509 16,167,509
Office of the Ombudsman 856,477 856,477
Ethics Office 3,193,554 3,193,554 DIVISION OF FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT
Enterprise Risk Management 1,222,661 1,222,661 Office of the Controller and Director 4,911,909 4,911,909
Evaluation Service 2,219,543 2,068,912 Specialized sections and services 2,461,545 2,461,545
Change Management 1,775,074 1,775,074 Audit 789,052 789,052
Governance Service 2,764,392 2,764,392 UN Finance Division 1,115,500 1,115,500
SUBTOTAL 38,233,738 38,005,302 Headquarters running costs (including security and safety at Headquarters) 17,497,165 17,497,165

SUBTOTAL 26,775,171 26,775,171

DIVISION OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Office of the Director 2,893,579 2,893,579 GLOBAL SERVICE CENTRE (BUDAPEST)
Donor Relations and Resource Mobilization Service 9,244,797 9,244,797 Management unit 4,284,219 4,284,219
Private Sector Partnership Service 1,309,465 1,309,465 Ombudsman office 127,806 127,806
Global Communications Service 5,687,952 5,687,952 Division of Financial and Administrative Management 3,519,045 3,519,045
Records and Archives Section 2,089,636 2,089,636 Division of Human Resources 18,784,905 18,784,905
Partnership and Coordination Service 2,731,176 2,731,176 Division of Information Systems and Telecommunications 2,945,992 2,945,992
Digital Engagement 533,152 533,152 Division of Emergency, Security and Supply 5,808,890 5,774,917
Public Outreach and Campaign 1,538,975 1,538,975
Joint UN Activity Contributions 2,478,788 2,478,788 SUBTOTAL 35,470,855 35,436,882

SUBTOTAL 28,507,520 28,507,520 GLOBAL SERVICE CENTRE (COPENHAGEN)

Management Unit 5,079,812 5,079,812
DIVISION OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION
Office of the Director 3,188,182 3,188,182 SUBTOTAL 5,079,812 5,079,812
Specialized sections 13,428,359 13,428,359 Staff Council 1,116,836 1,116,836

SUBTOTAL 16,616,541 16,616,541 TOTAL 211,723,778 211,406,556

DIVISION OF RESILIENCE AND SOLUTIONS

1)
Includes allocations from the UN Regular Budget as follows: USD 40,114,900 (Budget) and USD 40,110,543 (Expenditure).

Office of the Director 2,042,177 2,042,177

Specialized sections 121,520 121,520

SUBTOTAL 2,163,697 2,163,697

CHART 14 | EXPENDITURE FOR GLOBAL PROGRAMMES
DIVISION OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND RESULTS
Office of the Director 2,399,187 2,344,374
AND HEADQUARTERS | 2016-2020
Infrastructure and Telecommunications Service 11,897,168 11,897,168 600

SUBTOTAL 14,296,355 14,241,542 $463 $486

500

USD million
$436
DIVISION OF EMERGENCY, SECURITY AND SUPPLY 400 $366
Office of the Director 2,497,580 2,497,580 $338

SUBTOTAL 2,497,580 2,497,580 300

DIVISION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS 200

$222 $231 $235 $234 $211
Office of the Director 6,010,694 6,010,694
Infrastructure and Telecommunications Service 18,787,469 18,787,469 100

SUBTOTAL 24,798,163 24,798,163 0

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Global Programmes Headquarters

46 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 47
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

TABLE 10 | CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE JUNIOR PROFESSIONAL TABLE 12 | BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE FOR GLOBAL PROGRAMMES | USD
OFFICERS SCHEME | 2020 PILLAR 1 - REFUGEE PROGRAMME

USD USD ACTIVITIES Budget Expenditure

DONOR AMOUNT DONOR AMOUNT OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Cash assistance 210,000 145,220
United States of America 2,650,000 Sweden 358,291 Durable solutions 5,675,327 3,758,073
Japan 1,539,382 Finland 307,354
Education-related projects 24,377,246 22,445,437
Germany 1,200,154
Emergency-related projects (including stockpiles) 110,850,133 83,980,545
Luxembourg 180,796
Environment-related projects 397,500 238,266
Denmark 943,701 Republic of Korea 130,581
Global Clusters 495,825 495,825
China 784,702 Czechia 124,200
Innovation project 1,711,901 1,631,509
Netherlands 703,689 Belgium 99,051 Protection-related projects 5,240,391 4,696,171
Italy 486,940 Austria 23,110 Private sector fundraising 135,128,865 125,657,599
Switzerland 400,141
Public information and media projects 8,127,635 6,756,839
France 366,940 TOTAL 10,299,031
Refugee women, children and adolescents 922,252 917,474
Registration, data and knowledge management 8,686,441 7,955,663
Research, evaluation and documentation 6,676,010 3,371,877
Resettlement 11,718,289 11,718,289
Shelter-related projects 13,207,681 11,507,103
Training-related projects 1,236,041 1,139,055
Miscellaneous 935,639 928,535

SUBTOTAL OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES 335,597,175 287,343,480

TABLE 11 | CONTRIBUTIONS TO HEADQUARTERS | USD
PROGRAMME SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
DONOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND MANAGEMENT
Innovation project 2,484,147 1,816,953
DIVISIONS/DEPARTMENTS DONORS AMOUNT Inspector General Office Field activities 4,381,348 3,341,480
Legal Affairs Section Field activities 1,496,942 1,153,187
HEADQUARTERS OVERALL United Nations Regular Budget 40,114,900 Risk Management 2.0 3,707,641 3,690,822
SUBTOTAL 40,114,900 Liaison Office to Regional Bureaux 2,060,791 1,900,950
DIVISION OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND MANAGEMENT Hungary 3,062,343
Division of External Relations Service 7,793,972 6,830,568
Denmark 2,567,536
Private sector fund raising - investment funds and activities 19,512,907 16,526,597
SUBTOTAL 5,629,879
DIVISION OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION 4,579,166 4,161,191
DIVISION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS 46,222,925 44,400,161
DIVISION OF FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE Switzerland 3,892,459
MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF RESILIENCE AND SOLUTIONS 26,996,979 21,528,277
SUBTOTAL 3,892,459
DIVISION OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND RESULTS 5,330,000 4,933,601
DIVISION OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND RESULTS Netherlands 155,150 DIVISION OF EMERGENCY, SECURITY AND SUPPLY
SUBTOTAL 155,150 Emergency Capacity Management Section 1,462,467 1,430,204
Field Safety Section and Field security support 13,068,458 12,938,291
Supply Management - Field strenghtening and support 4,460,676 4,455,698
DIVISION OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS Japan 77,551
DIVISION OF HUMAN RESOURCES
SUBTOTAL 77,551
Special Staff Costs 38,801,983 36,592,089
TOTAL* 49,869,939 Training of UNHCR staff 7,215,634 6,783,952
The Digital HR Project 1,908,080 1,847,543
*
Notes:
1)
Contributions include 6.5% indirect support costs. DIVISION OF FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT
2)
Contributions to Headquarters benefit all pillars.
FI-Contributions-SC Project 114,100
Business Innovation Group 513,083 511,180
Global Fleet Management 744,205 509,604
BUDAPEST GLOBAL SERVICE CENTRE
Division of Financial and Administrative Management 2,189,382 1,910,099
COPENHAGEN GLOBAL SERVICE CENTRE
Executive Direction and Management 10,318,018 10,107,220
Division of International Protection 495,572 484,974
Division of External Relations 9,747,695 9,265,534
Division of Information Systems and Telecommunications 1,786,635 1,786,635

SUBTOTAL PROGRAMME SUPPORT ACTIVITIES 217,392,803 198,906,811

TOTAL 552,989,978 486,250,291

48 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 49
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

TABLE 13 | CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL PROGRAMMES | USD TABLE 13 | CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL PROGRAMMES | USD
DONOR DONOR

DIVISIONS/DEPARTMENTS DONORS AMOUNT DIVISIONS/DEPARTMENTS DONORS AMOUNT

Global Operations United States of America 46,000,000

SUBTOTAL 46,000,000 DIVISION OF EMERGENCY, SECURITY AND SUPPLY
DIVISION OF RESILIENCE AND SOLUTIONS Deployment of standby experts Canada 43,500
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) Asfari Foundation 124,508 Deployment of standby experts Danish Refugee Council 678,000
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) Czechia 100,000 Deployment of standby experts Ireland 436,500
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) Denmark 1,472,537 Deployment of standby experts Luxembourg 313,808
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) Germany 15,798,412 Deployment of standby experts Norwegian Refugee Council 2,779,500
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) NCSOFT Cultural Foundation 24,482 Deployment of standby experts Sweden 1,428,500
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) Private donors in China 13,385 Deployment of standby experts Switzerland 1,150,500
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) Private donors in Germany 314,936 Deployment of standby experts United Kingdom 105,500
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) Private donors in Italy 9,830 Emergency preparedness and response Republic of Korea 3,915,000
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) Private donors in Sweden 4,361 Emergency preparedness and response Switzerland 1,302,202
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) Private donors in Switzerland 1,416 Emergency preparedness and response United Arab Emirates 2,081,465
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) Private donors in the Republic of Korea 22,217 Emergency preparedness and response UPS Corporate 387,760
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) Saïd Foundation 514,771 SUBTOTAL 14,622,235
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) SAP Solidarity Fund e.V. 50,000
DIVISION OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) The Hands Up Foundation 249,015 Child Protection and Youth United States of America 1,556,865
A. Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) Üsine Foundation 107,646 Community-based protection and gender equality Netherlands 476,471
Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster Norwegian Refugee Council 182,000 Enhancing resttlement activities Canada 289,988
Climate Action Germany 234,742 Enhancing resttlement activities Germany 774,061
Development Partnerships Germany 1,293,876 Enhancing resttlement activities Norway 954,768
Energy and environment Sweden 147,333 Enhancing resttlement activities Portugal 35,294
Global Compact on Refugees European Union 256,729 Enhancing resttlement activities Republic of Korea 380,446
Global Compact on Refugees IKEA Foundation 9,674 Enhancing resttlement activities United States of America 213,000
Global Compact on Refugees United States of America 42,800 Legal and policy research Monaco 10,000
Health UNDP 31,713 Protection Cluster Support Minderoo Foundation 21,500
Joint Data Center European Union 1,952,465 Protection Cluster Support Norwegian Refugee Council 237,021
Joint Data Center The World Bank 48,710 Protection Cluster Support Switzerland 716,974
Joint Data Center United States of America 3,002,527 Protection Cluster Support UNICEF 62,273
Operational Support "la Caixa" Banking Foundation 122,474 Protection Cluster Support United States of America 3,840,834
Operational Support Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 345,596 Protection SURGE capacity United Kingdom 222,805
Operational Support Brunello Cucinelli Spa 109,890 Refugee Status Determination Allen & Overy LLP 16,171
Operational Support Germany 573,871
SUBTOTAL 9,808,471
Operational Support IKEA Foundation 70,241
Operational Support Switzerland 364,000 GLOBAL DATA SERVICE
Operational Support United States of America 1,812,580 PROSPECTS Partnership Project Netherlands 1,948,192
Operational Support WHO 66,587 Joint IDP Profiling Service Norway 193,181
Partnerships and Analytics Denmark 1,278,439 Joint IDP Profiling Service United States of America 505,051
Partnerships and Analytics European Union 2,800,071 Resettlement United States of America 1,093,540
Partnerships and Analytics Luxembourg 299,163 Improved Refugee Outcomes United States of America 187,250
Partnerships and Analytics Netherlands 508,250 SUBTOTAL 3,927,214
Partnerships and Analytics UNDP 21,300
Shelter Cluster Monaco 23,003
Socioeconomic inclusion Denmark 796,088
Socioeconomic inclusion Education Cannot Wait 1,243,648
Socioeconomic inclusion European Union 126,260
Socioeconomic inclusion Germany 910,031
Socioeconomic inclusion Google 368,036
Socioeconomic inclusion M3 Hospitality Management S.A 103,413
Socioeconomic inclusion Netherlands 299,707
Socioeconomic inclusion Norway 1,083,189
Socioeconomic inclusion Qatar 14,844
Socioeconomic inclusion Slovakia 110,011
Socioeconomic inclusion UK for UNHCR 41,779
SUBTOTAL 39,502,554

50 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 51
OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S OV E R V I E W I F U N D I N G U N H C R 's P R O G R A M M E S

TABLE 13 | CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL PROGRAMMES | USD TABLE 14 | PRIVATE DONORS GIVING OVER $100,000 IN SUPPORT OF UNHCR | 2020
DONOR

DIVISIONS/DEPARTMENTS DONORS AMOUNT UNHCR GLOBAL EUROPE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation FRANCE EGYPT

EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND MANAGEMENT
Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. (UNIQLO) Fondation BNP Paribas Ahmed Abdelkodous Ehsan
Innovative solutions Belgium 630,790
Innovative solutions Luxembourg 1,487,125 Fondation Sesam Fondation CHANEL Sawiris Foundation for Social Development
Innovative solutions United Kingdom 104,389 IKEA Foundation Fondation EDF KUWAIT
SUBTOTAL 2,222,305 International Olympic Committee
Fondation L'Oréal Agility Logistics
DIVISION OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS M3 Hospitality
Generali Global Charity Association for Development
Nansen Refugee Award IKEA Foundation 100,000 TTY Management B.V.
Nansen Refugee Award Norway 119,359 Unilever (UK)
GERMANY / UNO-FLŰCHTLINGSHILFE Kuwait Society for Relief
Nansen Refugee Award Switzerland 104,679 AmazonSmile Patients Helping Fund Society
United Nations Foundation
Private Sector Partnerships China 38,198
Üsine Foundation Deutsche Postcode Lotterie Zakat House
Private Sector Partnerships IKEA Foundation 176,800
Private Sector Partnerships Japan 229,592 ITALY QATAR
Private Sector Partnerships United Nations Foundation 2,884 THE AMERICAS Brunello Cucinelli Spa Qatar Charity
Urban outreach: Telling the Real Story 2.0 project Denmark 64,947 BRAZIL Calzedonia S.p.A Sheikh Eid Bin Mohammad Al Thani
Urban outreach: Telling the Real Story 2.0 project European Union 165,568
Fundação Itaú para Educação e Cultura Fondazione Prosolidar-Onlus Thani Bin Abdullah Humanitarian Fund
SUBTOTAL 1,002,028
MEXICO Intesa Sanpaolo
DIVISION OF HUMAN RESOURCES SAUDI ARABIA
Nacional Monte Piedad, I.A.P.
Safe from the Start project United States of America 869,331 NETHERLANDS Muslim World League
SUBTOTAL 869,331 USA / USA FOR UNHCR
Mr. Remon L Vos Ms Omnia Abdullah Taha Bakhsh
DIVISION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TELECOMMUNCIATIONS Big Win Philanthropy
Dutch Postcode Lottery (NPL) Tamer Family Foundation
Cash Assistance Enhancement Cooperation Project UNICEF 496,645 Google
SUBTOTAL 496,645 SPAIN / ESPAŇA CON ACNUR World Assembly of Muslim Youth
Hewlett Packard (Foundation)
Jolie-Pitt Foundation "la Caixa" Banking Foundation UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
TOTAL* 118,450,782
Kuwait-America Foundation Laboratorios Vinas Abdulla Al Ghurair Education Program
Notes:
1)
Contributions include 6.5% indirect support costs. Major League Baseball Players Trust Mr. Badr Jafar
2)
Includes $13.3 million acknowledged in past years for activities with implementation in 2020 and excludes $10.1 million acknowledged in 2020 for activities with implementation SWEDEN / SWEDEN for UNHCR
in 2021 and beyond. Microsoft Corporation
Akelius Foundation Etihad Airways
The Church of Latter-day Saints
IKEA Svenska Försäljning AB International Charity Organization
Tides Foundation
Lindex AB NAMA Women Advancement Establishment
UPS Corporate
Swedish Postcode Lottery The Big Heart Foundation

The World We Want Foundation The Ducklife DMCC

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
CHINA / HONG KONG SAR SWITZERLAND / SWITZERLAND
FOR UNHCR
Lam Kin Chung Morning Sun Charity Fund
Mr. Lap Fai Lee Krüger Foundation

Mr. Pwee Ling Cheng F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

Shih Wing Ching Foundation UNITED KINGDOM / UK FOR UNHCR

Sunshine Forever Limited Allen & Overy LLP
Transsion Holdings
Asfari Foundation
JAPAN / JAPAN FOR UNHCR
Comic Relief
Fuji Optical Co Limited
Islamic Aid
J.S. Foundation
Saïd Foundation
Sony Corporation
The Hands Up Foundation
SINGAPORE
Mr. Caesar Sengupta
RUSSING Group
Stephen Riady Foundation
TikTok
THAILAND
Mr. Wanchai Tachavejnukul

52 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 53
OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S

support through health, WASH and reporting escalating conflict and violence,
protection services, ramped-up cash and pandemic-related restrictions
assistance and increased shelter capacity, affecting IDPs’ ability to seek safety or
among others. Unearmarked funds, the return home, access health services and
Operational Reserve, and operations’ maintain their livelihoods. Through the
reprioritizing of their budgets were vital Global Protection Cluster, UNHCR issued
elements in kickstarting the response guidance to all field clusters and, with
before fresh contributions were received ICRC, issued common COVID-19
against UNHCR’s $745 million appeal, which protection messages to all operations
was ultimately 66% funded with $492 million for joint demarches with States.
in contributions. UNHCR stepped up its response in
From the beginning, UNHCR’s response had the 33 countries where it engaged in
to deal with myriad challenges. Many people situations of internal displacement.
of concern were in areas where health In Burkina Faso, Colombia and Sudan,
systems were already struggling, capacity UNHCR supported health authorities
for COVID-19 testing, isolation and treatment and ensured IDPs had access to health
was limited, and tracing and quarantining care; in Somalia, it reinforced COVID-19
difficult. UNHCR urged governments to awareness raising and ensured two-way
include refugees, the internally displaced communication; and in Afghanistan, the
and stateless in their pandemic responses Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq
and Ukraine, cash and livelihoods were

Transformative
and supported national health systems to
increase capacity. It adapted programmes to vital in, for example, addressing the risk
ensure continuity in reproductive health and of evictions.
HIV services, chronic diseases and mental As the pandemic progressed, UNHCR

Initiatives
health. UNHCR constructed or rehabilitated increasingly invested in 24/7 protection
isolation and treatment facilities for local helplines, local language call centres,
hospitals, built governments’ and partners’ and other remote delivery mechanisms.
capacity for surveillance, contact tracing These kept communities informed
and case management, and supplied about COVID-19, maintained two-way
personal protective equipment (PPE), communication on gender-based violence
© UNHCR/Sanne Biesmans medicines, oxygen and rapid testing and mental health, and allowed socially
kits. Despite global shortages and the distant protection case management.
near-collapse of global transport links, About 85% of operations innovated to
A young Burundian refugee washes her hands at a transit centre in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, before her and her family’s voluntary repatriation.
UNHCR procured $186.1 million of critical provide services and assistance remotely,
COVID-19 supplies, PPE and services,
such as delivering high-risk pregnancy
and 9.9 million people of concern
telemedicine in Jordan and contactless
COVID-19 the lives of those without equitable
received essential health care.
cash in Ecuador.
access to health care. UNHCR adapted to
The COVID-19 pandemic tested the ability stay and deliver, an achievement made Crowded living conditions and inadequate
Gender-based violence increased
of UNHCR and partners to protect and possible by the dedication of its staff, WASH services amplified the pandemic’s
dramatically and restrictions on
assist people of concern in ways never particularly those in field locations, as well impact. UNHCR supported over 100 health
movement often made it impossible
before seen in its 70-year history, as by its emergency response capacity, care facilities and 95 schools with additional
for those in need to seek help, especially
highlighting the importance of strategic its pre-pandemic investments in forging WASH facilities and distributed 50 million
for those already forcibly displaced. In
collaboration, responsibility sharing, and strong protection partnerships with bars of soap, as well as hand sanitizer and
Afghanistan, for example, 97% of forcibly
the inclusion of forcibly displaced people communities, its partnerships, and, most disinfectant, to over 60 operations.
displaced women interviewed for an
in national responses. importantly, the strength and resilience Thousands of handwashing facilities were
assessment reported an increase in
of displaced communities themselves. installed in public spaces, schools, health
The pandemic preyed on the vulnerabilities intimate partner violence, as did 69%
facilities and private accommodation.
of forcibly displaced women, men, girls The pandemic forced tough decisions in Jordan and an average of 73% in a
and boys. It blocked access to territory, about reallocating funds towards the most The pandemic exacerbated protection multi-country assessment in 15 countries
jeopardized livelihoods and endangered urgent needs, such as life-sustaining concerns, with 80% of operations across Africa. Calls to gender-based

54 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 55
OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S

violence hotlines rose 70% in Zimbabwe, particularly where they were not refugee sample, with Kenya also including and refugee-led organizations, focused
153% in Colombia, and 239% in eastern addressed by humanitarian or one on statelessness. Early findings of on protection challenges raised by the
Ukraine. Together with partners and development financing. The Office many surveys are striking, highlighting for pandemic. UNHCR encouraged
forcibly displaced women and girls supported safe school reopening, example the refugee and host community localization through a specific fund set up
themselves, UNHCR adapted programming, ensuring schools had WASH and poverty gap in Kenya. Overall, in 47 out of to target small civil society actors and
updated online guidance and tools, handwashing facilities and supplying the 52 operations in countries hosting launched an innovation award for refugee
and expanded community mechanisms, catch-up resources for learners. more than 10,000 refugees, UNHCR led organizations responding to the
ultimately assisting 2 million women and ensured people of concern were included pandemic. The annual UNHCR NGO
Cash assistance was scaled up to address
girls through dedicated 24/7 helplines. in UN country teams’ socioeconomic Innovation Award was dedicated to
immediate needs and mitigate the longer-
response plans. refugee-led organizations and their
For those already dealing with the stress term socioeconomic impact of COVID-19,
response to COVID-19, with seven
of being uprooted, the pandemic created and more than 65 UNHCR operations Partnerships were crucial to UNHCR’s
organizations in each region
an added psychological burden and launched or expanded cash assistance ability to stay and deliver, adapt
acknowledged for their dedication,
increased protection risks, often programmes, disbursing $695 million to programmes and ensure protection and
innovation and creativity.
disrupting care for those with existing 8.57 million people. life-saving assistance. UNHCR rapidly
mental health conditions. UNHCR and issued new guidelines to implementing The Office increased collaboration with
The pandemic underlined the need to
its partners provided mental health and partners in April 2020 with greater WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to
strengthen the transition from immediate
psychosocial support in 75 countries, flexibility to make discretionary budget enhance inclusion of people of concern in
to long-term responses to ensure
reaching more than 647,000 people. allocations and reduced reporting national health responses and vaccination
protection and solutions for people of
requirements. Regional refugee response campaigns, and with IFRC to strengthen
Displaced people’s living conditions concern, and it increased awareness of
plans were revised with partners. localization efforts at country level. A
often precluded or hindered physical the importance of including forcibly
Weekly consultations with NGO partners, specific strategic objective to ensure the
distancing. Overcrowding and displaced people in national services
co-organized with the International rights and assistance needs of refugees,
evictions were major risks. UNHCR such as WASH, health and vaccine
Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), migrants, stateless and the internally
piloted innovative shelter approaches, programmes, and in data collection.
created a space to harmonize approaches displaced was also included in the
as in Bangladesh, where adding Noting that “what gets counted, counts”,
to COVID-19. Annual consultations with IASC-led Global Humanitarian Response
mezzanines to shelters gave families UNHCR made significant efforts to ensure
over 100 NGOs, including local partners Plan.
nearly 70% more space without using socioeconomic assessments of COVID-19
more land. Globally, UNHCR provided took people of concern into account.
almost 150,000 emergency shelters, 58% Microdata in Bangladesh, Kenya, Lebanon
more than in 2019, installed 268 isolation and Nigeria provided insight into how

© UNHCR/Hasib Zuberi
and quarantine areas and decongested COVID-19 affects people of concern SPOTLIGHT: Community
overcrowded conditions by providing and, in some cases, host communities. response to COVID-19
shelter-related relief items to over In nearly all contexts, job losses were From the very start of the
362,000 people, helping to create significant, leading to reduced food pandemic, faced with lockdowns and
additional space to those modifying consumption and increased poverty movement restrictions, communities
their homes. and the incidence of child labour, themselves made extraordinary efforts
while families found it harder to obtain to protect themselves and others.
With schools forced to close,
health care. Community and religious leaders,
934,000 students in 74 countries were
assisted to continue learning from home UNHCR engaged with development outreach volunteers and women’s and youth groups all engaged to ensure culturally
through radio, television and internet- actors to encourage inclusion in financing, appropriate and understandable information reached people of concern through
based programmes. UNHCR worked with programmes and social protection multiple channels. These included social media, going door-to-door, radio, bicycling
governments to enhance national policies, including through its close to isolated communities, or using megaphones and loudspeakers to ensure all
educational content platforms, drawing partnership with the World Bank Group members of the community were contacted with accurate information.
on investments in connected education. which took important measures to Displaced women around the world led in protecting their communities, for example
It distributed books and supplies, systematically include refugees and others in Zambia where hygiene promoters and community health workers were trained on
supported refugee-led initiatives and of concern in its COVID-19 response safe disclosure and referrals for gender-based violence, as well as psychological first
helped pay refugee teachers. UNHCR’s efforts in low- and middle-income aid. In Pakistan, female outreach volunteers, community mobilizers and gender
global advocacy ensured refugees’ needs countries. Its COVID-19 socioeconomic support groups enhanced outreach and communication on COVID-19 preventive
were included in national and global surveys carried out in Djibouti, Ethiopia, measures, including addressing social stigma and psychosocial support.
efforts to address losses in learning, Kenya, Morocco and Uganda included a

56 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 57
OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S

UNHCR’S COVID-19 RESPONSE

COVID-19 triggered UNHCR’s first-ever instrumental in sharing good practices Health

declaration of a global Level 2 emergency across country operations.
on 25 March 2020, prompting additional In summary, COVID-19 triggered an 9.89 million refugees 52% of countries included 64 million medical
frame agreements with suppliers to allow and other people of concern refugees in their national COVID-19 masks (surgical and N95/FFP2)
immediate worldwide reflex. UNHCR received essential health care vaccination plans* procured
more flexibility in procurement and raced to prevent its most vital protection services
deliveries, and UNHCR’s active and assistance from being disrupted or
participation in the UN COVID-19 Supply interrupted. It reallocated resources and
68 countries reporting 28 countries reporting
Chain Task Force to streamline and found new ways of working, pressed
expedite joint procurement of pandemic- governments to include refugees in their Accountability to
related items. Strengthened regional affected populations
health responses, and strove to prevent
leadership structures were key to the
quality and speed of the COVID-19
the pandemic from exacerbating the 1.24 million women 647,068 refugees and other 85% of countries inhabited by
plight of refugees—in terms of hunger, and girls accessed sexual and people of concern (including children, refugees, IDPs and others of
parents and primary caregivers)
response, helping UNHCR to stay and poverty, family separation, education,
reproductive health services
provided with mental health and
concern with feedback and
deliver by providing timely support to psychosocial support services complaints mechanisms functioning
discrimination and violence, as well as
country offices, accessing regional or health. The pandemic engendered new 51 countries reporting 75 countries reporting 180 countries reporting
local pooled funding mechanisms, and partnerships and creativity, but it tested
speeding up decision-making. Regional UNHCR’s ability to respond in a crisis, Protection Social Protection
bureaux supported procurement efforts, with already stretched funding and record
spearheaded measures to ensure health
care services for frontline staff, and were
numbers of forcibly displaced people.
74% of countries where 16.09 million 3.3 million refugees &
gender-based violence services refugees, IDPs and other people asylum seekers benefited from
were maintained or expanded in of concern have accessed increased or expanded social
response to COVID-19 protection services protection

115 countries reporting 151 countries reporting 85 countries reporting

Assistance
Private donors' support to & Livelihoods

© UNHCR/Mary-Sanyu Osire
COVID-19 emergency appeal Approximately

Private donors responded generously 1.26 million refugees, 58.3 million refugees, 8.57 million refugees,
with $52 million for UNHCR's COVID-19 IDPs and others of concern IDPs and stateless persons are IDPs and other people of concern
appeal, making it the emergency appeal best- received livelihood support receiving or have received received cash assistance related to
funded by the private sector in UNHCR’s history. COVID-19 assistance** the impact of COVID-19
Over 84% of the income came from companies,
85 countries reporting 100 countries reporting
foundations and philanthropists, with the
remainder from individual donors contributing
mainly through digital channels. In addition to Education
financial and in-kind donations, many private
sector partners such as Microsoft and H&M
supported UNHCR by raising awareness among
their stakeholders and amplifying communications
1.6 million refugee 1.57 million refugee 934,023 children and
children and youth enrolled in children and youth out of school youth supported with
and content about refugees through their platforms. pre-primary, primary and secondary due to mandatory school closures distance/home-based learning
education levels in 58 countries
UN Foundation and UNHCR reimagine shared global problems to ensure no one is left behind
UN Foundation (UNF) was critical in securing $10 million of flexible funding from WHO’s COVID-19 Solidarity 58 countries reporting 58 countries reporting 74 countries reporting
Response Fund to ensure those under UNHCR’s care in vulnerable communities were afforded immediate
support as part of the global health response. This funding helped UNHCR to ensure populations of
concern were included in national health systems and to mitigate some of the effects of the pandemic Nutrition Communicating
with communities
on vulnerable communities. With less than a decade of action left to achieve the 2030 SDGs, UNHCR’s
partnership with UNF represents the kind of collaboration and impact needed to transform the UN’s
approach to shared global problems.
140,059 children 55,183 children 6-59 months 80% of countries where all
6-59 months admitted for treatment admitted for treatment of severe areas inhabited by refugees, IDPs
Sony steps up as one of the first major contributors to UNHCR’s COVID-19 response of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) acute malnutrition (SAM) and others of concern are reached
by information campaigns about
Sony donated $3 million from the Sony Global Relief Fund for COVID-19, established in 2020. This was the COVID-19 pandemic risks
first major corporate contribution to UNHCR’s COVID-19 appeal in early April. Sony complemented this by 29 countries reporting 28 countries reporting 120 countries reporting
organizing an employee-matching gift programme, raising a further $38,000 for UNHCR. Sony has been
*This is a baseline as of 31 December 2020 and should not be used as the latest value in 2021 discussions.
supporting UNHCR since 1991 through different initiatives, including in-kind donations and by sponsoring **COVID-19 assistance includes access to protection services, shelter, health, nutrition, education and livelihood support, or rights-based advocacy, information
the UNHCR Refugee Film Festival. campaigns, etc. Different assistance modalities are being used, including in-kind and multipurpose cash assistance.

58 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 59
 OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S

to facilitate implementation of host the European Parliament and

ydfydfdxf countries’ pledges on protection and

inclusion. Matching demonstrates
parliamentarians in the IGAD region to
identify strategic priorities for forced
burden- and responsibility-sharing in displacement in the region, including
action, enabling pledging entities to through cross-regional solidarity around
combine their efforts to make a tangible GRF pledges and the IGAD Support
impact and advance progress where Platform and parliamentary diplomacy.
more support is needed. For example,
The Asylum Capacity Support Group also
in Uganda, Denmark matched Uganda’s
made advances in matching requests from

Pillars of change:
pledge for refugee inclusion in the
host countries with donor support in Africa
national education system with 35 million and the Americas, in areas such as
krone. And the LEGO Foundation,
Transforming UNHCR in 2020
strengthening registration, use of country
as part of its pledge in the Play to Learn of origin information and processing
© UNHCR/Shawkat Alharfosh
partnership, matched Bangladesh’s modalities.
pledge to “design innovative refugee
solutions” in developing a The Global Academic Interdisciplinary
Through the Habesha scholarship programme, which was expanded at the Global Refugee Forum, Zakariya—a refugee in Jordan’s Zaatari camp for eight telecommunication model, to reach Network secretariat was established in
years—has been selected for a scholarship to study for a BA in psychology in Mexico.
children and caregivers affected by 2020, anchoring a network of scholarship
COVID-19 in Rohingya camps and and research on refugee issues, forced
Bangladeshi host communities. displacement and statelessness, and will
UNHCR’s change process was designed importance of strategic collaboration,
be chaired by the University of Essex until
to better position it to protect and assist responsibility sharing and the inclusion
Key initiatives launched at the Forum also 2023. As part of its activities and the Carta
people of concern, work with others to of displaced people in national responses
progressed. The three Support Platforms de Santiago pledge, the Brazilian model of
promote solutions, and address new underpinning the Global Compact on
worked collaboratively to strengthen the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Academic
challenges and identify new opportunities. Refugees (GCR). The 2020 High
regional responses to forced Chairs is being expanded to different
The transformation—still ongoing— Commissioner's Dialogue focused on
displacement, increasing and diversifying regions, with universities promoting
encompassed multiple areas of work how putting these principles into practice
their membership to include host and refugee inclusion by providing services
across a range of pillars. The Global could advance the protection and
donor countries and other strategic ranging from legal aid to health care.
Compact on Refugees, which is part of this resilience of people forced to flee, and
partners. Support from the European
transformation, set out a framework for those hosting them during a pandemic. The early signs of progress, despite
Union significantly contributed to
ensuring more predictable and sustainable significant challenges faced in 2020,
Undaunted, many pledgers—States, advancing these regional arrangements
burden- and responsibility-sharing are a testament to the willingness of
NGOs, refugees, the private sector, —an example of how cooperation with
arrangements in the context of large-scale governments and other actors to uphold
academia, development actors, cities, development partners is already
movements of refugees and protracted commitments made at the Forum,
faith leaders and other stakeholders— catalyzing the implementation of the GCR
refugee situations. continuing the global effort to build a
stepped up to fulfil their commitments. by broadening the base of support. By
better future for people forced to flee.
The COVID-19 pandemic was thus Many pledges were adapted or mobilizing its global pledge, the Inter-
both a “stress test” for UNHCR’s newly accelerated to support the response to Parliamentary Union—in partnership with Find out more at the Global Compact on
decentralized design and an accelerator the pandemic. UNHCR—brought together Members of Refugees website.
Decentralization
of change.
Results Based People
By the end of 2020, UNHCR had received
Data & Digitalization
& Regionalization Management Management & HR
updates for nearly half of the pledges,
Global Compact on Reimagining refugee camps and transforming
© UNHCR/Eduardo Soteras Jalil

Global Strategic Priorities

with over 70% of updates indicating work
Protection and solutions livelihoods in Ethiopia
See p. 15 for GSP results Refugees in progress and 15% at the planning stage,
while an encouraging 71 pledges were In 2019, Oxford University’s Refugee Studies Centre
The
Businesspandemic
Global Compact Processes abruptly evaluated UNHCR and IKEA Foundation’s livelihoods
UN Reform
on Refugees & Systems
Risk Management 2.0
fulfilled in 2020. Over 230 good practices
shook up the context programme in Dollo Ado, Ethiopia, which focuses on agriculture,
directly linked to the objectives of the livestock, energy, and microfinance loans through a cooperative
in which 1,400 pledges were made at
GCR were shared on the GCR Digital model. The programme’s positive impact includes greater cooperation
the 2019 Global Refugee Forum and between refugees and host community members, reported income
Platform, particularly in the areas of jobs
High-Level Segment on Statelessness. increases, expansion of markets and the provision of electricity.
and livelihoods, education and solutions. In line with the Global Compact on Refugees, this strategic partnership
COVID-19 tested the ability of UNHCR
has successfully created innovative and sustainable solutions for
and partners to deliver protection and It will be vital to keep matching technical,
refugees. In 2020, the programme was recognized for its success by the International Finance Corporation and Financial
assistance. The pandemic reinforced the material or financial support from donors Times at their Transformational Business Awards.

60 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 61
 OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S

Decentralization and resources and manage staffing through understanding with the African incorporated relevant elements of the
regionalization clearer, streamlined and more flexible Development Bank to mobilize and direct quadrennial comprehensive policy review
authorities. Heads of sub-office have new resources to the Sahel to support the within its operations. UNHCR also
Decentralization UNHCR’s
Results Based new organizational
People
& Regionalization Management Management & HR authorities for budget allocation and
Data & Digitalization
primary health response and the participated in the finalization of the
model came into effect in human resources, within established resilience of vulnerable communities in companion package to the United Nations
January 2020, when seven newly created parameters. Headquarters, bureaux and Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Sustainable Development Cooperation
regional bureaux became operational in operations were supported to implement Niger. The creation of dedicated external Framework (UNSDCF) Guidance, which
their respectiveGlobal
UN Reform regions.
Compact
on Refugees
With
Businessthis
Processes
& Systems these changes in the frameworks.
Risk Management 2.0
engagement capacity in the bureaux has now encourages United Nations country
realization of one of the major repositioned UNHCR, paving the way for teams to include refugees, IDPs and
transformational streams initiated by the Another significant change at country
long-term engagement and collaboration stateless people in common country
High Commissioner, these new bureaux level was the introduction of incentive-
with key regional actors. assessments.
replaced existing regional management based local fundraising, which enables Decentralization Results Based
& Regionalization
People
Management Management & HR
Data & Digitalization

and support structures, such as bureaux country operations to expand their UNHCR also issued internal guidance on
United Nations
at Headquarters, regional offices, support approved spending envelopes without programme alignment with and
development
centres, units and hubs. UNHCR has also approval from Headquarters. Funds raised participation in the UNSDCF. Furthermore,
system reform
significantly strengthened the regional from UN administered pooled funds such UN Reform
Global Compact Business Processes UNHCR supported the United Nations
Risk Management 2.0
on Refugees & Systems

bureaux to perform a wide range of as CERF and country-based pooled funds Regionalization enhanced development system-related Funding
functions: protection and operational increased 64% to $151 million in 2020, UNHCR’s active engagement in the Compact, which aims to increase the
support, programme planning and compared with $91.8 million in 2019. This roll-out of the United Nations quantity and the quality of development
resource management, monitoring, increase was partly due to the delegated development system reform, including in funding in return for greater effectiveness,
internal control and risk management, authority to the field as these funds are the new regional collaborative platforms. transparency and accountability. UNHCR
amongst others. Bringing these functions uniquely managed at country level, The Office co-chaired Issue-Based reports against the Compact’s
and capabilities closer to field operations combined with increased funding from Coalitions on human mobility, commitments to the Sustainable
enables better and faster support, which pooled funds for the COVID-19 response. displacement and resilience across Africa, Development Goals through the United
was put to the test in the organization’s in Europe, and in Latin America and the Nations Development Coordination Office.
Moving the regional bureaux from Geneva
response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Caribbean, and aligned itself with the
(with the exception of the bureau for
United Nations country-level management Human resources
Unlike in past initiatives, the Europe) aligned UNHCR’s structures Global Strategic Priorities
and accountability framework, including
transformation was accompanied by more closely with other UN agencies and As part of its COVID-19 Human resources
linkages to performance appraisal of its See p. 17 for GSP results
significant delegation of authority. international NGO partners, significantly Decentralization Results Based People response, UNHCR pivoted
country representatives. & Regionalization Management Management & HR
Data & Digitalization

strengthening the Office’s ability to its learning curriculum to

Revised internal delegation frameworks
engage with them at the regional level. UNHCR also supported the United virtual delivery. This shift online unlocked
moved decision making away from
For example, NGO consultations Nations framework for the immediate greater opportunities for learning,
Headquarters and closer to the point of
organized by UNHCR’s regional bureaux socioeconomic response to COVID-19 regardless of location, and programmes
delivery. The new Resource Allocation UN Reform
Global Compact Business Processes
Risk Management 2.0
allowed for more focused discussions offering guidance to Resident on Refugees
were made available in more languages
& Systems
Framework enhanced the level of
on regional contexts and brought local Coordinators on including refugees, for broader access.
delegation of authority to better embrace
civil society into the conversation. The forcibly displaced and stateless people in
decentralization and regionalization. There was considerable focus on the
newly-decentralized bureaux in Europe, the socioeconomic impact assessments.
Policy changes in budget management importance of dialogue, learning and
the Americas and Africa also engaged With no specific funding window created
resulted in 69% of decisions being made communication in how to manage teams
with the Issue-Based Coalitions, regional under the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for
at the regional or field level, representing and people. Managers received targeted
groupings of UN bodies tackling refugees and migrants, their inclusion in
some 44% of the additional resources, support such as webinars to strengthen
cross-cutting issues such as the response plans was a challenge. As a way
helping ensure timely allocation of their ability to work and engage remotely
challenges posed by human mobility. of helping governments and UN country
resources to address protection and with their teams. UNHCR also offered
teams identify the needs of forcibly
assistance needs. Regional bureau UNHCR’s new regional presence also managers development tools and spaces
displaced people, the World Bank-UNHCR
Global Strategic Priorities directors have significantly expanded enabled greater engagement with for reflection in recognition of their role in
Protection and Solutions Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement
See p. 15 for GSP results authority to re-allocate financial resources regional intergovernmental organizations creating and promoting safe, inclusive and
funded collection of primary socioeconomic
where they are needed most within the and mechanisms. UNHCR supported the respectful work environments. Over the
data through household and phone
region and the authority to appoint IGAD platform to implement a regional year, 15,000 staff participated in at least one
surveys in Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya,
professional staff up to the P4 grade. refugee framework focusing on inclusion learning activity, with over 1,000 e-learnings
Niger, Rwanda and Uganda.
Country representatives have clear and and assisting member states in East Africa, and 300 learning programmes made
expanded authorities to re-allocate and also signed a memorandum of At the global level, UNHCR progressively available in English and French.

62 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 63
 OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S

Over 4,000 staff took part in 80 career staff and in the revised policy for the by forced displacement” and led the of data systems by issuing minimum
webinars, 400 signed up for coaching or management of the affiliate workforce. technical assessments for two reports on standards to assist operations where
mentoring, and 400 managers took part the inclusion of people with disabilities by WFP “Building Blocks” were implemented
COVID-19 also put a sharp focus on
in Reflective Leadership Dialogues on the UN Special Rapporteurs on the rights in refugee contexts. UNHCR provided
UNHCR’s occupational health and safety.
inclusion and creating enabling work of persons with disabilities and on the technical leadership to the UN Common
It had to fulfil its mission to assist
environments. human rights of IDPs. UNHCR also Cash Statement Working Group, and
populations of concern without deviating
developed a demographic model to 2020 also saw the go-live of the
A review of the performance management from its duty to safeguard the health and
estimate sex- and age-disaggregated improved, secured and automated sharing
system was launched to re-evaluate safety of its workforce. Preventive action
data at global and regional level to of resettlement data with the United
existing practice and examine culture, protected colleagues with underlying
strengthen evidence-based programming States of America.
policies and processes so as to build a medical conditions, with offers to telework
and advocacy.
new, more modern approach. This will be or relocate to where medical facilities
Results-based
a key element in developing a positive were available, and personal protective UNHCR led inter-agency processes to
management Global Strategic Priorities
employee experience and a workplace equipment was supplied to those working develop monitoring frameworks, including Programme and Results-
Based Management
culture where UNHCR’s a workforce thrives. in camps and communities. Local health a global inter-agency multi-sectoral &Decentralization
Regionalization
Results Based
Management
The design of
People
Management & HR
DataUNHCR’s
& Digitalization new See p. 16 for GSP results
care assessments helped operations to COVID-19 monitoring framework in approach to results-based
UNHCR’s business continuity plans
strengthen their staff’s access to care, collaboration with IOM, OCHA, UNESCO, management (RBM) for multi-year
mitigated COVID-19’s impact on human
and medical support by phone was made UNICEF, UNRWA, WFP and WHO among planning, budgeting, monitoring and
resources (HR) matters. Assignments
available in several languages for others. As part of the UNICEF-UNHCRUN Reform reporting,
Global Compact named
BusinessCOMPASS,
Processes and the
continued to be managed without
Risk Management 2.0
on Refugees & Systems
personnel and their families. Blueprint, UNHCR established 13 data configuration of a new online system was
disruption, albeit remotely. Managers
projects to improve data interoperability finalized in the last quarter of 2020. An
and HR staff globally were able to access UNHCR recognized how COVID-19 could
and data sharing, and to support the extensive training programme to roll out
lists of candidates in various talent pool create mental health stresses, as staff
objectives of the Blueprint for the the first phase of the COMPASS approach
profiles. This improved UNHCR’s ability faced isolation, separation, multiple roles
inclusion of refugees in UNICEF and and system, the “Plan for Results” phase,
to identify local staffing strengths, and at home, and the difficulty of travelling for
government data systems. There were was developed in advance of the launch
managers and HR staff could define rest and recuperation. Psychosocial
improvements to UNHCR’s statistical in early 2021. All operations are expected
best matches with their requirements. capacity was strengthened through the
reporting, data collection and to finalize their strategies for 2022 during
Screening and processing remained at network of peer advisors and regional
methodology, including a new Statistical the second quarter of 2021, including
Headquarters, providing for consistent staff counsellors, and additional external
Quality Assurance Framework. UNHCR 24 operations that are developing multi-
oversight in accordance with rules and mental health support was provided.
year strategies. The new multi-year
procedures. Over the year, 1,700 job UNHCR continued to be a leader in co-led the Common Good Data Initiatives
approach will see operations developing
openings were processed, 110 of which inter-agency efforts on health and safety aimed at strengthening the capacity to
longer-term, quality protection and
were for fast track situations; 52% of matters throughout 2020 and was an gather, access and manage strategic
solution strategies using the UN system
candidates externally recruited into the active contributor to the UN System-Wide information and to improve analysis and
results chain and a global results
international professional category were Task Force on Medical Evacuations, communication of data as evidence.
framework aligned with the Sustainable
female; and 33 talent pools were the inter-agency efforts to strengthen The Office worked across the UN to Development Goals (SDGs).
managed, with 1,300 applications the medical first line of defence, and
develop the Secretary-General’s Data It also allows operations to formulate
received a month. the UN vaccination strategy. This
Strategy and make more use of the UN’s their own results and indicators. All
strengthened the representation of field
Alongside the international professional data. UNHCR helped to put the WFP-UNHCR these changes will facilitate UNHCR’s
concerns, which underpinned
category, there was extensive work on Joint Programme Excellence and engagement with national and
UN preparedness and response plans.
revising the recruitment and assignment Targeting Hub into operation, creating a UN development frameworks, in pursuit
policy for local staff, including specific joint targeting capability and supporting of the SDGs.
Global Strategic Priorities
Data and information inter-agency collaboration. UNHCR and
Use of Data and Information measures for increasing the gender
See p. 15 for GSP results
balance and enabling hiring managers UNHCR conducted an WFP’s data sharing memorandum of
to consultDecentralization
more data onResultsdiversity
Based and People Data & Digitalization
operational data review, understanding was put into action,
& Regionalization Management Management & HR
gender. Oversight measures ensured examining its practices, resulting in the first implementation of
the process was free from bias and processes and standards in the collection, biometric data access and data transfer
discrimination. Pre-vetting screenings analysis and use of data disaggregated by solutions between agencies, integrating
for sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual
Global Compact Business Processes
age, sex, disability, and other diversity WFP’s SCOPE with UNHCR’s PRIMES
UN Reform Risk Management 2.0
harassment and misconduct were considerations. The Office contributed to ecosystem for beneficiary authentication.
on Refugees & Systems

included in the policy on locally-recruited “Data disaggregation of SDG indicators UNHCR further ensured interoperability

64 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 65
 OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S

of the office to a field hospital. In parallel, as well as measures to address such risks,
internal dialogue and mental wellbeing providing a roadmap for action.
services were put in place.
The improving quality of risk registers
As the pandemic evolves, robust risk has provided UNHCR with up-to-date
management will help UNHCR prepare and accurate risk information. To support
for potential new waves whilst keeping colleagues in addressing high risks in
longer term challenges in sight.
areas such as cash assistance,
procurement, prevention of sexual
Supporting operations through
ydfydfdxf
exploitation and abuse, and partnership
the risk network and building for
management, short and practical risk
the future
management tools were developed and
Risk management The year saw the conclusion of UNHCR’s
Risk Management 2.0 initiative, in which
disseminated. UNHCR’s risk management
policy was updated, reflecting changes
and integrity
© UNHCR/Ilaria Rapido Ragozzino
the organization invested in people,
tools and processes to better manage
in international norms and UNHCR’s
decentralization and regionalization
uncertainties. The initiative brought a
process. To embed risk management into
noticeable improvement in the quality
its core processes, UNHCR took decisive
In Ibarra, in Ecuador, UNHCR, firefighters and youth volunteers built three XL refugee housing units to increase the capacity of the municipal community diner, of risk analysis and mitigation measures,
providing a bigger and safer place where refugees and members of the host community can be served 400 meals a day. steps to reflect the new results-based
which in turn has increased transparency,
management approach in its risk
data-driven decision-making and
management tools, so that considering
n Results Based People
Data & Digitalization
accountability.
n Management Management & HR
risks and opportunities becomes an
Staying, delivering, and When physical distancing threatened to By the end of 2020, each of the seven inherent part of strategic planning.
managing risks through interrupt protection and support services, regional bureaux and 12 high-risk
countries had a senior risk adviser in As the number of people who depend
the pandemic operations actively sought to remain
Global Compact Business Processes
place. Despite travel restrictions, on UNHCR’s support is ever-growing
on Refugees & Systems
Risk Management 2.0
engaged and responsive to the needs of
The pandemic posed risks the network of risk advisers provided and crisis in displacement becomes more
people of concern. UNHCR expanded
unlike any faced by UNHCR in its history, learning and support to more than complex, combining the effects of
cash assistance, increasing contactless
compelling UNHCR to increase its 1,800 colleagues, increasing overall use violence, pandemic and climate change,
and mobile money payments. To address
response whilst minimizing its physical and knowledge of risk management in taking and managing the risks required to
new challenges this posed, anti-fraud
footprint. From the start of the COVID-19 UNHCR and empowering the workforce deliver our mandate will remain a priority
training was conducted in Greece,
outbreak, risk management colleagues to scan the horizon for risks and
Somalia and South Sudan, whilst the for the organization. Whilst good progress
across the organization contributed to opportunities, and to make informed
accountability chain of the cash was made with the Risk Management
COVID-19 preparedness, ensuring that decisions in the light of these. Echoing
assistance programme in Yemen and 2.0 initiative, work needs to continue to
pandemic-related risks were rapidly the emphasis that the High Commissioner
in other operations was strengthened. further strengthen UNHCR’s risk culture
identified, managed and monitored. has put on integrity-related risks, close
A COVID-19 risk register gave an overview Increased reports of gender-based in all operational and management areas.
to 100 senior leaders were trained in
of the risks faced by refugees and UNHCR, violence and risks of sexual exploitation To that end, a five-year strategy is under
reputational risk management and crisis
including organization-wide risks to business and abuse prompted operations to development.
communications.
continuity. Identifying risks helped to increase focus on communicating with
support early action and coordination communities, providing ways for people To support a coordinated and integrated Integrity and oversight
with broader UN coordination, from in need to continue to seek support from response to crises, UNHCR took a
As with other parts of UNHCR, the
contingency planning to procurement. UNHCR or its partners. Inside UNHCR, situational risk approach, involving key
country operations. When Burundian pandemic presented UNHCR’s
By elaborating the risks linked to COVID-19 the crisis drove innovation and change,
with heightened attention to duty of refugees requested to repatriate, risk and independent oversight providers with a
and pointing towards solutions, the
care to the workforce and use of digital protection colleagues from Burundi and unique set of challenges that had to be
register aimed to minimize operational
disruption, provide a framework for technology to communicate. Following asylum countries conducted a joint risk overcome. By adapting and innovating,
action, and support the organization’s a risk assessment in Bangladesh, and to assessment around voluntary repatriation. a revised plan and new working methods
effort to stay and deliver in extraordinary mitigate immediate risks to the health of They identified risks affecting the were in place by the end of March 2020,
circumstances. personnel, the operation converted part objective of a return in safety and dignity, ensuring oversight could continue.

66 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 67
OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S

The response to the COVID-19 emergency In 2020, the pandemic hampered

included deferring a number of reviews; reporting of misconduct complaints,
moving to remote auditing and reviews; which declined 7% to 1,146. For 2021,
providing advisory and thematic audit based on increasing numbers of
and review work; ensuring COVID-related
questions were embedded into their
complaints at the end of 2020, a return
to pre-pandemic levels of 1,200 per
ydfydfdxf
work; and reporting in a more agile, annum is predicted. During 2020,
short-form format to provide ongoing UNHCR opened investigations
feedback and response to UNHCR implicating 142 individuals and finalized
management. Towards the end of 2020, 130 investigation reports, of which 55%
coordinated planning conversations (71 out of 130) were substantiated.
between the key oversight providers were
UNHCR continues to invest in measures

UNHCR’s fight against sexual exploitation

undertaken to ensure a well-balanced and
to enhance oversight. The office of the
coherent overall oversight plan was in
newly-appointed Inspector General

and abuse and sexual harassment

place for 2021.
(IGO) updated its strategy and
There was also oversight of UNHCR’s thoroughly reviewed its operations,
pandemic response, including reviews of resulting in further realignment of IGO © UNHCR/Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo

supply chain and procurement activities; staff to regional locations and a

partner selection and management; comprehensive change to the IGO’s High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi meets young Venezuelan survivors of sexual exploitation at the Fundación Renacer in Riohacha, Colombia.
distribution of cash assistance and core strategic oversight function. It introduced
relief items; vendor and emergency improved standard operating procedures
procurement fraud risk; controls over relating to complaints intake assessment
The High Commissioner’s role as Other aspects supported humanitarian
implementing partners; and remote processes, and for applying a victim-
IASC Champion on Protection from leadership in building respectful and
programme and protection monitoring. centred approach to investigations,
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and inclusive working environments and a
These were undertaken through a mixture and its digital capability was enhanced
Sexual Harassment speak-up culture, and some initiatives
of advisory and audit modalities. with new forensic tools and an upgrade
proved particularly relevant in the context
of the complaints case management Tackling sexual misconduct, within
In the past five years, misconduct of the COVID-19 pandemic.
system. UNHCR and in the wider humanitarian
complaints grew from 399 in 2016 to 664
sector, is critical to UNHCR’s vision of Examples included a learning package
in 2017, 1,186 in 2018 and 1,226 in 2019.
a trusted, respectful and inclusive for NGO partners—“Saying NO to sexual
environment where the people it serves misconduct”—which was jointly
and those who support them feel safe, developed with IOM, WFP and others.
heard, equipped and empowered. It fostered creative engagement and
SPOTLIGHT: Preventing fraud committed by people of concern dialogue and works through the
In 2020, the High Commissioner brought
As part of decentralization and regionalization, regional anti-fraud focal this commitment forward by taking on the implications of power differentials and
points were supported in enhancing capacity in their respective role of IASC Champion on Protection from people’s responsibilities as humanitarian
operations to improve the detection and response to fraud by people of concern. Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual workers. The package includes video,
This led to the identification of evidence-based gaps and the subsequent Harassment, launching several initiatives case studies and testimonies, is easily
development of context-specific anti-fraud tools and materials. An internal data to further his three main priority areas tailored for different audiences and
visualization tool was developed to monitor performance in fraud management, of bolstering prevention, expanding safe contexts, and is currently available in
trends analysis and reporting. The tool allows for easy reporting instances of fraud English, French, Spanish, Arabic and
spaces and promoting respectful use
based on real-time proGres v4 data, thereby facilitating management and operational Portuguese. Another initiative was the
of authority.
responses. In operations using proGres v4, there were 105 cases detected in 2020 PSEA Community Outreach and
(up from 79 in 2019), with about 40% of detected cases resolved during the year. These initiatives included learning Communication Fund, launched by
More than 90% of operations conducting individual processing of people of packages, communications materials, UNHCR and ICVA in April 2020 at a time
concern’s information now have designated personnel and, with over 300 staff and best practice guidance, some of when COVID-19 and related restrictions
having received dedicated anti-fraud training, UNHCR’s ability to detect fraud by it aimed at capacity building and challenged efforts to prevent and respond
people of concern has increased significantly, as have more structured responses. awareness-raising amongst humanitarian to sexual exploitation and abuse. The
personnel and affected communities. Fund provides small-scale grants to NGO

68 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 69
OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S

projects supporting community-led Ethics

efforts to raise awareness of prevention
Even with the constraints of the virtual
of sexual exploitation and abuse. Of
environment dictated by the pandemic,
1,600 applications received, 19 grants
the mandatory Code of Conduct dialogue
were awarded to organizations across all
sessions still reached 74% of the
regions. A range of projects developed
workforce in 120 operations. The

ydfydfdxf
targeted multimedia awareness-raising
sessions, with their focus on trust and
tools, such as that of the NGO Lotus
collaboration, and the increased links to
Flower Iraq. The NGO launched
mitigating integrity risks, contributed to
campaigns for IDPs which prioritized
an organizational culture valuing trust,
strengthening reporting channels in IDP
collaboration, dialogue and integrity.
camps and engagement with women and
girls at heightened risk of sexual There was a nearly 100% compliance
exploitation and abuse. rate with the UN Financial Disclosure
Programme, and 430 colleagues were
A communications package was made
available in English and French to guide
IASC Principals in meaningful discussions
assisted with professional, confidential,
ethics advice on issues like conflicts of UNHCR’s engagement in
with staff on sexual misconduct. The tool
uses impactful videos to facilitate often
interest and engagement on social media.
This contributed to the overall integrity of situations of internal displacement
the organization and promoted ethical © UNHCR/Marie-Joëlle Jean-Charles
uncomfortable discussions and aims to
decision-making and behaviour in
promote a speak-up culture and, although
accordance with UN standards
designed for face-to-face engagement, Daoud sits outside his family’s temporary shelter at a site in Al Mukha, Taizz, in Yemen. They fled At Tuhayat 18 months ago when fighting destroyed their home.
and values.
the package lends itself to online use.
There was a 17% increase from 2019 in
The High Commissioner closed his tenure
requests from personnel for advice on In many places around the world, internal internal displacement. Spending on IDP For more
as IASC Champion by hosting a session
protection against retaliation, indicating information on
with all IASC Principals on values, displacement has become chronic. programmes under Pillar 4 rose 9%, with internal displacement
higher engagement with and trust in At the end of 2020, the global number and related trends,
attitudes, and organizational culture, an additional $21.5 million transferred
institutional efforts to protect colleagues of internally displaced people due to
see Chapter 3 of the
providing a forum for reflection on the from the Operational Reserve for 2020 Global Trends
speaking up, as well as progress in violence and conflict reached an report
underlying factors in organizational emergency response to nine operations
creating a speak-up culture. These efforts estimated 48.6 million, the highest ever
culture and behaviour that give rise to (in the Central African Republic,
included an external “SpeakUp!” helpline recorded and 5.1 million more than
sexual misconduct and abuse of power. Honduras, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar,
providing UNHCR personnel with an in 2019.
A similar session was held with the CEB Nigeria, the Panama multi-country office,
additional channel for reporting
Task Force on sexual harassment, hosted the Syrian Arab Republic and Ukraine).
misconduct, including sexual misconduct, In 2020, major drivers of forced
by UNHCR’s Deputy High Commissioner. Notably, decentralization empowered
and raising other concerns and displacement were escalating conflict and
Two additional products will be finalized regional bureaux and representatives
grievances. violence, massive human rights abuses
in the course of 2021, an e-learning for to quickly redeploy funds to meet IDP
ranging from forced recruitment to torture
NGO partners on investigating sexual emergency response needs.
and rape, and the impact of climate
exploitation and abuse, and a collection
change, including depleted natural UNHCR combined coordination
of good practices on organizational
resources, diminished crop yields and
culture change. While the High leadership with field operations, bringing
livestock shortages. The pandemic itself
Commissioner’s tenure as IASC Champion delivery closer to people of concern,
was also a cause of flight, with recorded
has ended, close and strong collaboration enhancing credibility with cluster partners
instances of people moving from crowded
with all its partners will underscore and strengthening relations with
urban locations to rural settings in an
UNHCR’s efforts to tackle sexual governments, especially at local level.
attempt to avoid contagion, including
misconduct, as it is only through Engagement via community-based
in Somalia and Yemen.
inter-agency and broader partnerships protection networks, telephone hotlines,
that such abuses can be eradicated. Within this context, UNHCR continued its and other virtual means helped to make
stepped-up engagement in situations of up for the physical distancing introduced

70 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 71
OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S

to fight COVID-19. UNHCR Yemen in based on its extensive experience in Global Protection Cluster on “Scaling-up COVID-19 outbreak
particular established best practices in advancing solutions in refugee and readiness and response operations in
The GPC and national protection clusters
this regard, helping to guide engagement IDP settings. humanitarian situations, including camps
in other locations. advocated for the rights of 78 million
and camp-like settings”, guidance which
people in need of protection, of which
UNHCR moved during the year towards Tri-cluster coordination was jointly produced with IFRC, IOM,
31.5 million people received assistance
integrated programming inclusive of all WHO and UNHCR.
On coordination, within the Inter-Agency in 26 operations. UNHCR led 29 out of
population groups in an operational Standing Committee framework, UNHCR 32 field protection clusters and cluster- The team delivered virtual COVID-19-
context, including host communities. leads the Global Protection Cluster (GPC) like mechanisms. The GPC Coordinator related capacity-building workshops for
In Colombia, the Casa de los Derechos and co-leads the Global Shelter Cluster undertook field missions to Burkina Faso Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic
project was an example of an area-based and Iraq while GPC Operations Cell Republic of the Congo (DRC), Mali,
(GSC) with IFRC and the Global Camp
approach that brings legal assistance members undertook field missions to Pakistan, Mexico, Yemen and the Latin
Coordination and Camp Management
and other benefits to co-located IDPs, Ethiopia and Sudan and provided remote
Cluster (CCCM) with IOM. UNHCR also America sub-region. A virtual mission to
refugees, returnees and local communities technical support and sharing of good
coordinates national protection, shelter Sudan supported the establishment of a
experiencing similar protection needs
and CCCM clusters, usually with NGO practices to field protection clusters. COVID-19 IDP camp coordination task
and risks. In Afghanistan, UNHCR applied
partners. Strategic direction for UNHCR’s This saw the GPC working with over force, and the roll-out of a survey on
an area-based, whole of community
cluster engagement is provided jointly by 1,000 diverse partners around the world. preparedness gaps and services.
approach aimed at mitigating protection
UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioners Continuous consultations with
risks and vulnerabilities of all affected The 2020 Global Protection Forum,
for Operations and for Protection, thus stakeholders improved CCCM delivery in
communities while facilitating sustainable hosted by the GPC’s Strategic Advisory
elevating the strategic impact of cluster Burkina Faso, the Central African
solutions including reintegration of Group and the four GPC areas of
refugee returnees and IDPs. leadership within UNHCR, especially at responsibility, gathered the Child Republic, DRC, Ethiopia, Iraq,
regional bureaux encompassing all Protection, Gender-Based Violence, Mozambique, Myanmar, Somalia and
Investments in solutions underpinned Sudan. This was done through a
country operations. Housing Land and Property and Mine
UNHCR’s IDP work. Solutions can be combination of scaling up staffing,
Action Areas of Responsibility brought
achieved where local communities are UNHCR continues to build strategic resource mobilization and advocacy,
together over 3,000 humanitarian, peace
resilient, and this requires investments in partnerships for IDP protection, including capacity building, and coordination and
and development partners, academics,
national capacity, including through by co-chairing the three-year, multi-
UN Member States and donors to discuss operational support missions.
international financial institutions. stakeholder plan of action for the
contemporary protection challenges and
UNHCR’s IDP policy identifies solutions 20th anniversary of the Guiding Principles
gaps, exchange lessons learned and Global Shelter Cluster
as integral to all IDP engagement, be it on Internal Displacement (GP20). In
provide strategic direction. (co-led with IFRC)
through support to local authorities and 2020, following regional exchanges
communities or enhancing partnerships with the Economic Community of UNHCR led 16 of the 30 country-level
beyond the traditional humanitarian Global Camp Coordination and shelter clusters and 19 of the 37 shelter
West African States (ECOWAS) and Camp Management Cluster
stakeholders and including development coordination mechanisms, with one
the Intergovernmental Authority on (co-led with IOM)
actors. Advocacy and related newly activated in 2020 in the DRC. The
Development (IGAD), UNHCR
interventions for the inclusion of IDPs in The global CCCM cluster supported UNHCR-led clusters provided shelter and
spearheaded exchanges on internal
national services and pandemic-related 23 country-level clusters and cluster-like core relief items to over 12 million IDPs
displacement in the Americas, Asia and
safety nets established by States remain structures in 2020, with UNHCR leading through 535 partners in conflict
Middle East, in collaboration with the
central to the approach. or co-leading 19. The UNHCR CCCM situations, representing 81.6% of all
Inter-American Court of Human Rights and
UNHCR closely engaged with the High- Global Cluster Team developed “Camp/ displaced people assisted with shelter
the Platform on Disaster Displacement.
Level Panel on Internal Displacement by site management interim operational globally. Some 2.2 million people were
sharing experiences and supporting the UNHCR’s IDP Initiative 2020-2021 and guidance for COVID-19 readiness and reached with COVID-19-specific shelter
global and national discourse on IDP its quarterly updates facilitate public response”, containing key considerations activities in 12 out of the 16 UNHCR-led
solutions, contributing to dialogue with dissemination of notable activities in to incorporate into pandemic clusters with activities such as shelter and
IDPs and with experts. UNHCR’s IDP operations, with special focus on preparedness and operational planning. core relief items for medical, quarantine
contributions to the Panel were through community approaches, partnerships The Team also provided input and or isolation facilities, or to reduce
consultations and written submissions and solutions. support for the IASC’s interim guidance overcrowded living conditions.

72 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 73
OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S

In 2020, the cluster launched rental In conclusion, important progress was

market guidance, updated the made towards the UNHCR objective
coordination toolkit and delivered the of a more decisive and predictable
annual meeting and coordinators' engagement in situations of internal
workshop online, consisting of 59 events, displacement. An acceleration of efforts

ydfydfdxf
including thematic sessions, country ensured a strengthened organizational
cluster briefings and regional events with response, as required by the revised
over 1,000 participants. In addition, the IDP Policy, encompassing UNHCR’s
GSC hosted monthly webinars in shelter coordination and operational delivery
response to COVID-19 with coordinators interventions, and covering the
and operational staff. full spectrum of response, including
preparedness and solutions.
The UNHCR GSC team provided 132 days
of field mission support in Burkina Faso,
the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Sudan and the Syrian Arab Republic, in
addition to 274 days of remote support.
Specifically on COVID-19, the UNHCR-led
GSC team supported countries in
Climate action
© UNHCR/Martim Gray Pereira
adapting their response and in providing
resources through a specific COVID-19
shelter library. Forcibly displaced Mozambican families recover from heavy rain and flooding at an IDP site in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique.

Climate change increases the risk a decade, and over three times higher
of displacement, makes it harder for than the 9.8 million displaced by conflict.
displaced people to return home,
As the world continues to heat rapidly,
and poses a multitude of risks and
and as the risks of displacement only
Qatar Charity continues to protection concerns during displacement.

© UNHCR/YWU
support displaced families in increase, UNHCR has stepped up its
Approximately 20% of the world’s
Yemen and Lebanon commitment and ambition to tackle the
population lives in a highly climate-
humanitarian and protection challenges
Since 2012, Qatar Charity (QC) has been one of vulnerable country, but refugees and IDPs
UNHCR’s top private partners and has supported of the climate emergency. The office of
around 1.4 million displaced individuals. In 2020 are particularly at risk with nearly 90% the Special Advisor on Climate Action
alone, QC supported Syrian refugees in Lebanon of refugees under UNHCR’s mandate was established in January 2020
and IDPs in Yemen with contributions of $3.5 million. coming from a highly vulnerable country.
These funds were used to provide urgent cash to provide strategic guidance, oversight
assistance for internally displaced families in These same countries host over 40% and expertise in shaping UNHCR’s
Yemen and Syrian refugee families in Lebanon to of refugees and nearly 70% of IDPs climate action agenda and responding
help them meet their most urgent needs and displaced by conflict. to growing protection concerns.
mitigate the socioeconomic effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic. Climate change is already a threat to The Strategic Framework for Climate
UNHCR’s preparedness, response and Action (SFCA) was developed, setting
out the parameters of UNHCR’s response
solutions work. In 2020, droughts,
under three pillars:
flooding, storms and hurricanes posed
challenges to UNHCR operations from • Law and policy: legal and normative
Bangladesh to the Sahel to Central guidance and policy engagement to
America, and globally there were better protect people of concern in
30.7 million new displacements due to the context of climate change and
disasters. This was the highest figure in disasters.

74 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 75
OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S OV E R V I E W I T R A N S F O R M AT I V E I N I T I AT I V E S

• Operations: strengthening the Mechanism for Loss and Damage’s operational guidance was developed • The Green Fund is an innovative
resilience of displaced populations Task Force on Displacement under the on “IDP protection responses in the financing mechanism to power field
to climate and environmental risks, UN Framework Convention on Climate context of disasters and the adverse offices with renewable energy, with
enhancing preparedness and response Change, UNHCR supported Parties’ effects of climate change”. This focuses pilots planned in Ethiopia, Kenya and
to displacement in disaster situations, consideration of policy and measures on key protection issues and priorities Uganda.
and protecting the environment in to avert, minimize and address climate- during the preparedness and emergency
• Promoting energy efficient practices
displacement settings. related displacement. At the regional response phase.
and eco-conscious behaviours
level, UNHCR contributed to inter-agency
• UNHCR’s environmental footprint: Lastly, under the third pillar, UNHCR is throughout UNHCR. For example, a
dialogue with the European Union on
reducing its greenhouse gas emissions reducing its own environmental footprint carpooling project in Lebanon involving
human mobility related to climate change
and minimizing its environmental and greenhouse gas emissions in line UNHCR and UNICEF will contribute to
and the development of policy and
impact. with Greening the Blue, the UN system- financial efficiencies, reduced
guidance on adaptation and
wide commitment to improve emissions and optimized fleet sizes.
As part of the law and policy pillar, preparedness.
environmental sustainability. In 2020,
UNHCR released “Legal considerations The SFCA recognizes that the magnitude
As part of the operations pillar of the UNHCR achieved climate neutrality for
regarding claims for international of the climate emergency requires
SFCA, climate and environmental risk the second year running through offsets
protection made in the context of the unprecedented collaboration to meet
related to supply were integrated in a new and developed a greening and
adverse effects of climate change and the growing protection challenges and
procurement policy, including greener sustainability strategy focusing on four
disasters”. This provided guidance for achieve impact at scale. In this spirit,
procurement of core relief items, and areas:
States, legal practitioners and other UNHCR led the development of an
efforts are underway to move towards
actors in applying international refugee • The Green Box initiative uses energy interagency predictive analytics project
greener packaging. There was also a
and human rights law to protect people meters in UNHCR offices to measure addressing the interconnected risks in
review of the impact of cash assistance
displaced across borders in the context global energy consumption. In 2020, the Sahel and how climate change will
and the use of core relief item donations
of climate change and disasters. UNHCR 225 offices in 115 countries enrolled affect the humanitarian, development,
on the environment.
also continued cooperation with in the initiative. and peace and security sectors.
academics, legal experts and In the first year of its 10-year ambition,
• The Green Data initiative creates a
practitioners in the area, providing the Clean Energy Challenge (CEC)
data warehouse that helps identify
technical support to research papers and graduated from an aspiration to a
opportunities to transition to renewable
intervening upon invitation at conferences mechanism for implementation, a
energy.
and other events, and thus widening the further step towards the goal of bringing
network of partners. A key example of affordable, reliable and sustainable
such an opportunity was afforded by energy to all settlements of forcibly
“COVID-19 and climate change: what can displaced people and nearby host
we learn?” at the High Commissioner’s communities by 2030. In line with the

© UNHCR/Sylvain Cherkaoui
annual Dialogue on Protection under the Global Compact on Refugees, UNHCR SPOTLIGHT:
theme “Protection challenges during plays a catalytic role, building The impacts of the
pandemics”. partnerships and advocating greater climate emergency on
UNHCR’s long-standing support to the
engagement of business actors, displacement
governments, development actors,
Nansen Initiative Protection Agenda A data visualization shows how the
NGOs, and experts to support the CEC.
continued as part of the State-led climate emergency is converging with
Platform on Disaster Displacement, Recognizing the need to increase other threats to drive new displacement
along with IOM, was formalized through preparedness for situations where and increase the vulnerability of those
a memorandum of understanding. As UNHCR is called upon to respond in already forced to flee.
a member of the Warsaw International non-conflict-related emergencies,

76 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 77
R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S

REGIONAL SUMMARIES

East and Horn

of Africa and
the Great Lakes

“ These children are the next generation coming up.

Some will be doctors, teachers, pilots. I don't just dream for them…
Teaching plays a role in building a generation.
—Ngesti Gudamadhen, volunteer refugee teacher
”
Ngesti Gudamadhen, 28, is an Ethiopian refugee who
teaches children in makeshift classrooms at Um Rakuba
camp, Al Qadarif, Sudan.
© UNHCR/Will Swanson

78 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 79
 R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S

OVERVIEW AND KEY DATA IN THE EAST AND MAJOR SITUATIONS IN 2020
HORN OF AFRICA AND THE GREAT LAKES BURUNDI

IN 2020 $5,240,211 distributed

in cash assistance.
69,661 households reached
with core relief items.
284,841 people of concern
received hygiene supplies.
After Burundi’s 2020 elections, the Government strengthened engagement with the international community
including humanitarian actors. The overall working environment and the political and security situation
improved, although reports of human rights abuses continued. In line with the Burundi Regional Refugee
SOUTH SUDAN 313,000* Response Plan, which brought together 35 partners, UNHCR provided protection, assistance and access to
services for an estimated 313,000 Burundian refugees, mainly in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the
$343.9 million SUDAN ERITREA
BURUNDIAN REFUGEES IN
NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES Congo and the United Republic of Tanzania. UNHCR pressed for their inclusion in national COVID-19
funds available
128,000** responses. Food shortages grew, leading to negative coping mechanisms, including gender-based violence
48% funded L2
IDPs and premature returns. COVID-19 disrupted schools, stretched health services and constrained access to
registration, asylum and voluntary repatriation. Although health screenings, isolation facilities, personal
40,900 protective equipment, testing and social distancing added unplanned costs to the repatriation movements,
0 $721.3 million DJIBOUTI BURUNDIAN REFUGEE
required RETURNEES UNHCR helped 40,900 refugees to return from Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda, bringing
the total returns to Burundi to close to 120,500 since voluntary repatriation activities began in 2017. UNHCR did
L2
not promote returns but continued to support those who expressed an interest in returning home voluntarily.
ETHIOPIA
*Excludes the 1972 refugee caseload in the United Republic of Tanzania. **Source: IOM.

SOUTH SOUTH SUDAN

SUDAN
$4,117,960 distributed 368,334 households reached 16,960 people of concern
in cash assistance. with core relief items. received emergency shelter.
SOMALIA SOMALIA
Over 2.2 million South Sudanese refugees were hosted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia,
UGANDA $203.5 million Kenya, Sudan and Uganda at the end of 2020, the largest refugee crisis in Africa, with 28,000 new refugees
funds available
during the year. 2020 saw slow progress towards peace and the implementation of the Revitalized
BURUNDI KENYA
51% funded Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). After years of conflict, the situation
$88.7million 2.2 million was not yet considered conducive for safe, dignified and sustainable returns for the majority of South
RWANDA SOUTH SUDANESE REFUGEES
funds available
0 $399.9 million
IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES Sudanese refugees, but 122,000 did choose to return on their own in 2020.
47% funded required 1.6 million UNHCR provided South Sudanese refugees with protection and basic assistance, in line with the South Sudan
BURUNDI IDPs
Regional Refugee Response Plan, which brought together 96 partners, with gender-based violence and child
0 $190.3 million
UNITED Situation 122,000 protection as priorities. UNHCR promoted refugee inclusion in COVID-19 prevention and response measures
required REPUBLIC REFUGEE RETURNEES in line with the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework and the Global Refugee Forum. However,
OF TANZANIA
CRRF country 174,000 support for livelihoods activities was constrained during the pandemic. UNHCR strengthened its engagement
IDP RETURNEES with IDPs in line with its IDP initiative, providing protection and assistance to over 1.6 million South Sudanese
IDP initiative country IDPs displaced by protracted conflict, environmental disasters and outbreaks of intercommunal violence.

L2 Level of emergency
SOMALIA
$7,668,766 distributed 60,544 households reached 23,539 people of concern
in cash assistance. with core relief items. received emergency shelter.

REGIONAL FUNDING OVERVIEW Decades of civil war and instability have created UNHCR’s longest refugee crisis, with more than
PEOPLE OF CONCERN AND EARMARKING 686,000 Somali refugees residing in Ethiopia, Kenya, Yemen and elsewhere in the region. 3 million 
Somalis were displaced within the country by the end of 2020. With COVID-19 as well as insecurity hindering
17.9 million people of concern in 2020 $893.1 million funds available in 2020 cross-border movement, a total of 1,560 Somali refugees returned home. UNHCR assisted 600 refugees of these,
19% of the global population of concern 47% funded
$1.901 billion 686,000 while others returned on their own. Cumulatively, 92,150 Somali refugees have been assisted to return since
0 91.9 million 0 required SOMALI REFUGEES IN
NEIGHBOURING 2014. Amid ongoing state-building and funding shortfalls, returnees, IDPs and the 24,500 refugees and
COUNTRIES AND YEMEN asylum-seekers hosted in Somalia faced insecurity and climate-related shocks such as floods, droughts
People of concern | 2015-2020 Monthly evolution of funding | 2020 3 million and locust infestations. The UNHCR-led protection return monitoring network in Somalia recorded nearly
IDPs 1.3 million new displacements, 70% due to flooding. Most remained in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.
Refugees Asylum-seekers IDPs Unearmarked Softly earmarked Earmarked Tightly earmarked As well as providing direct support for protection, assistance and solutions for the most vulnerable, UNHCR and
Stateless persons Returnees (refugees and IDPs) Others of concern*
1,560 partners helped build the Government’s capacity to implement comprehensive protection and solutions
REFUGEE RETURNEES
20 1,000 for 3.3 million people of concern.

ETHIOPIA (TIGRAY)***
15% 800 19%
15 4% 27,288 people of concern ***Budget and funding for the Ethiopia (Tigray) situation in 2020 were mainstreamed
were assisted with core relief in the relevant countries programmes.
600 items and emergency shelter.
USD Millions
Millions

10 55% 58% Violence flared in Ethiopia’s Tigray region in November 2020, driving some 55,000 Ethiopians to seek refuge
400 in eastern Sudan. Some 96,000 Eritrean refugees—registered in Tigray before the crisis erupted—were also
severely affected. Some were forced to flee to find safety elsewhere in Ethiopia, including in Addis Ababa.
5 1%
55,000 UNHCR led the inter-agency refugee response plan in Sudan, working with the Government and partners to
200 ETHIOPIAN NEW
14% ARRIVALS IN SUDAN provide life-saving assistance, expand reception facilities and set up two refugee camps to offer the
25% 55,000 refugees protection, water, sanitation, health care, education, shelter and food.
0 0
9% 96,000
ERITREAN REFUGEES IN
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TIGRAY REGION OF ETHIOPIA In Tigray, communication blackouts and lack of access precluded any immediate response. UNHCR joined the
rest of the UN in requesting unhindered access and raised concerns about the safety and well-being of the
* Figure currently includes host community population in Uganda, reflecting UNHCR’s evolving approach to refugee inclusion and integrated area-based service delivery.
Population category definitions are under review and will be adjusted in 2021 to introduce a separate category of host community members who may benefit directly from 2.7 million Eritrean refugees and hundreds of thousands of IDPs. UNHCR extended assistance, protection services and
ETHIOPIAN IDPs PRIOR
UNHCR assistance. cash grants to many of the Eritrean refugees who had fled to Addis Ababa.
TO THE EMERGENCY

80 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 81
R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S

KEY RESULTS AND TRENDS IN 2020

UNHCR’S PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSE TRENDS IN RESPONSE
Cash assistance by sector in Africa | 2016-2020
CHILD PROTECTION Evolution compared to 2019
WASH Evolution compared to 2019
Basic needs Seasonal grants Life-saving support Solutions
26,345 unaccompanied or separated -23%
19 litres of potable water available on -5%
children had a best interests assessment average per person per day in refugee
-100% 0 +100%
2020 $58.8**
initiated or completed. -100% 0 +100% camps.
52% of households had a drop-hole -2% 2019 $50.5
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE latrine or drop-hole toilet. -100% 0 +100%
2018 $46
12,577 gender-based violence incidents +49%
reported for which survivors received
-100% 0 +100% EDUCATION* 2017 $62.9
psychosocial counselling. -5%
742,944 children enrolled in primary 2016 $51.5
-100% 0 +100%
education.
CORE RELIEF ITEMS +29% 0 20 40 60 80
+90% 105,149 students enrolled in secondary USD millions
861,752 households provided with education. -100% 0 +100% **Including $30.2 million in the East and Horn of Africa and
core relief items. -100% 0 +100% the Great Lakes region.
+92% 3,132 people of concern received -19%
$60.3 million worth of core relief tertiary education scholarships.
items distributed. -100% 0 +100%
-100% 0 +100%

-29% Individual registration records | 2016-2020 Resettlement departures | 2016-2020

434,906 women received sanitary
materials. -100% 0 +100% SELF-RELIANCE Individual registration records in PRIMES proGres v4 Individuals
individuals (5 years and above) with biometric records in PRIMES 40,000
15,254 people of concern provided -8%
In millions 35,000
HEALTH with entrepreneurship/business training. -100% 0 +100% 33,858
7
-61% 6.6 30,000
0.16 under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000 6
under-5s per month) in refugee camps.
-100% 0 +100%
VOLUNTARY RETURNS 25,000
5
4.3
+33% 20,000
90% of births in refugee camps were -3% 62,339 people of concern assisted to 4
3.1
15,388 18,774
attended by skilled personnel. return voluntarily. -100% 0 +100% 3.0 15,000
-100% 0 +100% 3
2.9 13,610
2 10,000
2.1
SHELTER RESETTLEMENT 1 0.4 5,000
-62% 0.2 4,831
48% of households lived in adequate 9,179 resettlement submissions. 0 0
-100% 0 +100% -100% 0 +100% 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
dwellings.

*While enrolment rates for the school year were high, a majority of those enrolled did not attend school due to COVID-19 restrictions.

UNHCR’S COVID-19 RESPONSE

3,690,538 refugees, IDPs and 6,009,208 refugees and other 76,258 refugees and other people 88,028 children (6-59 months) 323,770 children and youth
other people of concern accessed people of concern received essential of concern provided with mental admitted for treatment of moderate supported with distance/home-based
protection services. health care services. health and psychosocial support acute malnutrition. learning.
services.

1,023,717 refugees, IDPs and other 783,796 women and girls accessed 11 country operations reported all 35,359 children (6-59 months) 560,339 refugee children and
people of concern received cash sexual and reproductive health geographic areas inhabited by people admitted for treatment of severe acute youth out of school due to mandatory
assistance related to the impact of services. of concern were reached by COVID-19 malnutrition. school closures.
COVID-19. information campaigns.

82 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 83
R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACT Cash assistance to urban refugees UNHCR also submitted 9,179 resettlement
cases from the region for resettlement
represented a lifeline for those who had
suffered income loss, gender-based consideration to third countries,
violence, food insecurity including 62% fewer than in 2019.
Safeguarding access to protection Responding with life-saving malnutrition, or mental health issues.
and asylum assistance UNHCR disbursed $30.2 million in cash Ensuring protection and durable
assistance across the region, and 1 million solutions for IDPs
UNHCR urged countries in the region UNHCR supported host governments,
refugees, IDPs and other people of concern The 2019 “Policy on UNHCR’s
to uphold the right to seek asylum as providing life-saving assistance and
received COVID-19-specific cash assistance. engagement in situations of internal
pandemic-related border closures ensuring access to services for all
hampered access to both territory and refugees, with attention to the most displacement” continued to guide
asylum procedures. UNHCR appealed for vulnerable, and particularly those affected Seeking durable solutions for UNHCR’s coordination responsibilities
special measures to allow asylum-seekers by the Tigray emergency in Sudan and protracted refugee situations and operational response for IDPs in
to be screened, quarantined and Ethiopia, as well as new arrivals from the Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan
With the exception of Burundi, most
admitted, and for UNHCR to be granted Democratic Republic of the Congo in and Sudan. UNHCR’s protection
facilitated refugee returns were
access to areas where new refugees Burundi and Uganda and new arrivals monitoring was, however, significantly
suspended as a result of the pandemic.
arrived. As a result, most countries in the from South Sudan in Ethiopia, Sudan and hampered by the pandemic.
Returns in other locations such as Somalia
region, including Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda. This included basic measures In Burundi, broad-based consultations
and South Sudan slowly resumed in the
Sudan and Uganda, kept borders open to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in undertaken by the UNHCR-led Protection
second half of the year, with COVID-19
to refugees or exceptionally allowed all refugee camps and settlements: Cluster informed a new road map for
preventive measures in place. In total,
them access to their territory. improving health facilities and water strengthening IDP protection. In Ethiopia,
some 165,000 refugees returned to their
and sanitation services and investing UNHCR extended its leadership role
COVID-19 mitigation measures, countries of origin during the year,
in risk communication and community in the protection and other clusters to
particularly restrictions on staff presence including over 40,900 facilitated returns
engagement. Over 6 million people of the Tigray region, in response to
in offices, disrupted activities aimed at to Burundi and almost 122,000 self-
concern to UNHCR accessed essential displacements following the outbreak
strengthening the capacity of State organized returns recorded in South
health care services in the East and of conflict in November 2020. In Somalia,
asylum systems and delayed individual Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes. Sudan. Some 600 Somalis were assisted
to return, while the rest who returned on UNHCR’s IDP response focused on
refugee status determination (RSD) All countries in the region organized remote protection monitoring, community
procedures. However, some RSD information campaigns about COVID-19 their own did so spontaneously.
engagement and risk communication.
processing continued thanks to desk- in areas inhabited by refugees, IDPs and The Solutions Initiative for South Sudan
based casework, the installation of others of concern. When schools closed, In South Sudan, UNHCR significantly
and Sudan, involving both Governments,
plexiglass interview room-dividers, and UNHCR supported remote education scaled up shelter and other support for
led by the Intergovernmental Authority on
the adaption of case processing to allow approaches, including broadcasting lessons IDPs affected by local violence, flooding
Development (IGAD) and supported by
remote interviewing and virtual status over the radio. It installed handwashing and COVID-19. In Sudan, UNHCR
UNHCR, was launched at the end of 2020
determination committee meetings. facilities in schools and supported other increased its information management
to advance comprehensive solutions for
measures to help them eventually reopen capacity to support the Protection
UNHCR prioritized gender-based violence both countries’ forcibly displaced
safely. A total of 323,770 children and Cluster with protection monitoring and
and child protection, including raising populations and to seek international
youth across the region were supported operational responses, as well as in the
awareness and preventing and solidarity on early recovery needs.
with distance/home-based learning by Durable Solutions Working Group.
responding to specific gender-based
the end of the year. The pandemic also severely disrupted
violence risks, as well as scaling up In Ethiopia, while there was minimal
existing helplines, increasing investment Life-saving interventions targeted those resettlement processes. Movement progress in gaining access to the
in community-based structures, training most adversely impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions and remote-working displaced populations affected by the
refugee workers to safely report and pandemic, particularly people whose arrangements resulted in a decrease conflict in Tigray despite coordinated
refer cases, and adjusting individual case livelihoods, well-being and dignity were in the identification, interviews and advocacy by UNHCR, humanitarian
management monitoring. In total, some affected. Refugees and IDPs in several submissions of refugees in need of partners and donors, UNHCR provided
12,600 survivors reporting incidents of countries in the region including Djibouti, resettlement. COVID-19 also forced protection and assistance to
gender-based violence received Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, the United the suspension of departures for 400,000 IDPs across other parts
psychosocial counselling. Republic of Tanzania, and Uganda several months, with only 4,831 refugee of Ethiopia.
were seriously affected by WFP food departures facilitated by UNHCR in the
ration cuts. region in 2020, a 74% decrease.

84 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 85
R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S

Reducing and preventing Lack of reliable estimates of the number FINANCIAL INFORMATION
statelessness of stateless persons in the region,
particularly those with undetermined
The pandemic forced UNHCR to
nationality, remained a challenge in 2020.
Consequences of underfunding meals, taking high-interest loans, selling
reprioritize its efforts linked to the assets, child labour, and increased
Regional studies highlight serious gaps in UNHCR’s financial requirements in the
eradication of statelessness in the region. domestic violence were also reported
domestic nationality laws leading to East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes
A significant achievement was, however, as a result of food ration and cash cuts.
statelessness, and specific qualitative region were 47% funded in 2020.
realized in December 2020 when,
profiles of groups at risk of statelessness The impact of underfunding compounded Limited support for livelihood activities
following extensive advocacy efforts
are known in Eastern Africa. with COVID-19 seriously affected the also affected refugees’ self-reliance,
by UNHCR, Kenya announced a landmark
delivery of protection and assistance to leading to harmful coping mechanisms
decision to grant citizenship to
Implementing pledges made at the people of concern. and compounding protection risks.
1,670 stateless Shona and 1,300 stateless
Global Refugee Forum Previous gains made in relation to the
persons of Rwandan descent. Other Operations were forced to divert precious
significant achievements included the While the COVID-19 pandemic has limited resources away from regular programmes self-reliance of people of concern in the
adoption of national action plans to end multi-stakeholder consultations and to respond to the pandemic. While region were also negatively impacted
statelessness in Rwanda and South Sudan, slowed the implementation of many funding for the rollout of the new by the economic toll of the pandemic
and the creation of a national statelessness Global Refugee Forum pledges in the gender-based violence policy was on host countries.
taskforce in Rwanda. region, a number of countries including secured, gender-based violence and
Funding shortfalls meant that only 27%
Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and child protection activities remained
Furthermore, International Conference on of refugees in the region were able to
Uganda have made progress by underfunded across operations, despite
the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) member access distance learning programmes
developing country-level action plans a reported increase in incidents of
States endorsed a consolidated action during the prolonged school closures.
and roadmaps. gender-based violence across the region
plan on the eradication of statelessness When schools reopened, refugee
during the pandemic.
in the Great Lakes in November 2020. In Burundi, the Agence Universitaire de students were slow to return due to
The implementation of this action plan la Francophonie provided scholarships to Funding constraints also affected the limited classrooms and a shortage of
will bring positive dividends for ICGLR 20 refugee students in Ngozi Province. provision of food to refugees, with WFP teachers as a result of social distancing
members and support the implementation Uganda’s Ministry of Health worked with food ration cuts affecting over 3.3 million protocols. Lack of water, sanitation and
of member States’ pledges made at the stakeholders to support refugees’ (72% of the total refugee population) hygiene facilities in schools continued
High-Level Segment on Statelessness and inclusion in national health services, including in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, to hinder school reopenings and the
the Global Refugee Forum. accrediting about 70% of facilities in South Sudan, the United Republic of safe return of refugee students.
refugee-hosting districts by year-end. Tanzania and Uganda. Ration cuts
The Government of Uganda also included worsened the food security and nutrition Despite new emergencies in the region,
refugees in the resource allocation situation of refugees, causing increased including in the Democratic Republic of
formula for refugee-hosting districts. malnutrition in children and other the Congo, Ethiopia and South Sudan,
vulnerable groups. Negative coping Refugee Response Plans across the
strategies such as skipping or reducing region remained poorly funded.

New partner TECNO supports COVID

© UNHCR/Eujin Byun

response and education in Kenya

In 2020, TECNO, a premium smartphone
brand of TRANSSION Holdings, became
UNHCR’s first Chinese corporate partner. It supported
education in the Dadaab camp in Kenya, as part of the
joint Educate A Child programme from UNHCR and
Education Above All Foundation. In the context of
COVID-19, TECNO also donated surgical masks to UNHCR
in Kenya to support the COVID-19 response, as well as
tablets to support refugee children in Kenya’s refugee
camps with connected learning.

86 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 87
R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S

EXPENDITURE IN EAST
EXPENDITURE IN THE THE AND
EAST AND
HORN OFHORN OF AFRICA AND BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE IN THE EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA AND
THE GREAT
AFRICA LAKES
AND THE GREAT| 2016-2020
LAKES | 2016-2020 THE GREAT LAKES | USD
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4

Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP % OF % OF

OPERATION TOTAL REGIONAL EXP VS
programme programme projects projects TOTAL BUDGET
1,000
$921
900 $863 Regional Bureau for the East and Horn Budget 17,285,263 - - - 17,285,263 1%
$795 $832
$796 of Africa and the Great Lakes1 Expenditure 17,004,333 - - - 17,004,333 2% 98%
800
Regional activities for the East and Horn Budget 2,837,070 - - - 2,837,070 0%
700
of Africa and the Great Lakes1 Expenditure 1,249,329 - - - 1,249,329 0% 44%
600
500 SUBTOTAL Budget 20,122,333 - - - 20,122,333 1%
400
Pillar 1 Expenditure 18,253,662 - - - 18,253,662 2% 91%
Pillar 2
300 Pillar 3
Other operations in Africa1 Budget 5,081,315 - - - 5,081,315 0%
200 Pillar 4
USD Millions

Expenditure 1,260,679 - - - 1,260,679 0% 25%

100 Burundi Budget 52,661,879 12,017 2,000,000 2,086,597 56,760,494 3%
0 Expenditure 29,247,698 - - 860,752 30,108,450 3% 53%
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Djibouti Budget 17,674,208 - - - 17,674,208 1%
Expenditure 11,075,863 - - - 11,075,863 1% 63%
Eritrea Budget 9,528,287 - - - 9,528,287 1%
Expenditure 1,700,704 - - - 1,700,704 0% 18%
Ethiopia Budget 346,357,747 - 7,000,000 31,757,191 385,114,939 20%
Expenditure 127,937,267 - - 11,041,799 138,979,066 16% 36%
Kenya Budget 164,123,052 524,537 - - 164,647,589 9%
Expenditure 92,231,274 220,772 - - 92,452,046 11% 56%
Rwanda Budget 106,311,965 - 2,650,000 - 108,961,965 6%
Expenditure 52,498,028 - 1,890,084 - 54,388,112 6% 50%
EXPENDITURE VIA PARTNERS | 2020 Somalia Budget 42,876,539 - 76,660,910 34,841,803 154,379,251 8%
Expenditure 13,795,268 - 21,272,938 19,880,368 54,948,574 6% 36%
EXPENDITURE VIA PARTNERS | 2020 South Sudan Budget 127,778,167 1,761,801 35,486,791 32,081,341 197,108,100 10%
Expenditure 86,021,533 1,099,808 2,243,138 28,313,484 117,677,963 14% 60%
Sudan Budget 224,465,631 2,576,600 16,688,551 30,997,832 274,728,614 14%
$313 million spent via 235 partners in the East and
Expenditure 101,854,070 612,619 4,482,492 22,450,896 129,400,077 15% 47%
Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Uganda Budget 356,670,010 400,000 - - 357,070,010 19%
88 Government 75 National NGO Expenditure 160,108,887 65,694 - - 160,174,581 19% 45%
partners, $64.2M partners, $53.3M United Republic of Tanzania Budget 147,593,247 - 3,067,872 - 150,661,119 8%
Expenditure 51,615,570 - 1,268,506 - 52,884,076 6% 35%

TOTAL Budget 1,621,244,381 5,274,955 143,554,123 131,764,764 1,901,838,224 100%

Expenditure 747,600,502 1,998,892 31,157,159 82,547,299 863,303,853 100% 45%
67 International NGO partners, 5 UN agencies,
$191.2M $4.3M 1
Regional Bureau, regional activities and other operations in Africa cover the whole of the East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region.

88 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 89
R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I E A S T A N D H O R N O F A F R I C A A N D T H E G R E AT L A K E S

VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA
AND THE GREAT LAKES | USD AND THE GREAT LAKES | USD
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4 PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4
Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP
DONOR ALL PILLARS TOTAL DONOR ALL PILLARS TOTAL
programme programme projects projects programme programme projects projects

United States of America 51,686,830 4,900,000 446,106,995 502,693,825 Czechia 455,996 455,996
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 41,451,807 721,569 42,173,377 UN-Habitat 397,405 397,405
European Union 28,516,541 883,002 278,681 5,966,168 35,644,393 Private donors in Canada 222,672 57,109 279,781
Germany 4,623,921 27,989,294 32,613,215 Private donors in South Africa 195,264 195,264
Denmark 17,759,829 41,041 4,664,427 5,890,149 28,355,446 Private donors in Kenya 91,543 90,758 182,301
Central Emergency Response Fund 279,266 746,779 19,382,256 799,742 21,208,043 Private donors in the Republic of Korea 163,660 18,497 182,157
Sweden 3,933,806 1,556,017 6,950,207 12,440,030 Private donors in China 35,900 101,257 137,157
Netherlands 9,382,580 27,517 69,604 2,255,521 11,735,222 Private donors in Belgium 120,347 3,601 123,949
Norway 6,479,526 1,131,606 2,263,211 9,874,343 Switzerland for UNHCR 109,312 109,312
España con ACNUR (National partner in Spain) 8,483,799 253,668 8,737,466 Australia for UNHCR 61,686 43,228 104,914
Republic of Korea 300,000 1,895,500 6,500,063 8,695,563 WFP 51,555 51,555
Finland 7,634,054 7,634,054 Private donors in Italy 43,149 43,149
Japan 4,912,537 1,308,548 327,286 514,528 7,062,899 Private donors in France 34,081 34,081
UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe (National partner in Germany) 6,739,003 6,739,003 Japan for UNHCR 31,313 71 31,384
Canada 6,657,514 6,657,514 Liechtenstein 17,436 17,436
USA for UNHCR 2,912,839 172,500 2,212,123 5,297,462 WHO 15,000 15,000
Qatar 5,179,424 5,179,424 Private donors in Singapore 9,224 9,224
Switzerland 771,977 4,103,955 4,875,932 Private donors in Nigeria 7,810 7,810
Ireland 3,382,387 1,114,827 4,497,214 Holy See 7,500 7,500
Private donors in Japan 3,612,459 141,346 3,753,805 Private donors in Ghana 3,647 3,647
France 1,166,098 369,738 1,927,164 3,463,001 Private donors in Lebanon 2,307 2,307
Private donors in the United States of America 3,000,000 3,000,000 Private donors in Thailand 2,276 2,276
Private donors in the Netherlands 2,880,358 7,532 2,887,890 Private donors in Denmark 1,819 1,819
Country-based pooled funds 500,000 2,054,239 2,554,239 Private donors in Mexico 117 117
Italy 2,376,062 2,376,062 Private donors in India 72 72
Education Cannot Wait 2,102,849 2,102,849 Private donors in Austria 44 44
United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur 92,579 1,582,032 1,674,611
TOTAL* 210,469,943 68,558 4,947,966 38,344,446 544,820,934 798,651,847
United Nations Peacebuilding Fund 114,137 1,472,060 1,586,197
*
Notes:
Luxembourg 1,255,230 1,255,230 1)
Contributions include 6.5% indirect support costs.
2)
Overall contributions to Africa have been apportioned to the three regions of Africa.
Private donors in the United Arab Emirates 1,236,549 13,670 1,250,219 3)
Includes a total of $5.5 million acknowledged in past years for activities with implementation in 2020 and excludes $28.9 million acknowledged in 2020 for activities with implementation in 2021 and beyond.
UK for UNHCR 172,500 803,466 975,966 4)
Includes contributions earmarked to the Burundi, Somalia and South Sudan situations.

Private donors in Czechia 910,973 910,973

United Arab Emirates 422,618 384,000 806,618
Private donors in Switzerland 142,666 626,916 769,582
Belgium 682,800 682,800
Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women
and girls
674,113 674,113

Sweden for UNHCR 527,378 126,100 653,478

Intergovernmental Authority on Development 441,893 202,852 644,745
UNAIDS 344,572 266,000 610,572
New Zealand 527,797 527,797
Private donors in Saudi Arabia 500,000 500,000
Spain 481,019 481,019

90 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 91
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I SOUTHERN AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I SOUTHERN AFRICA

REGIONAL SUMMARIES

Southern
Africa

“
We have lots of refugees here, they should not die. They have
been here for more than a month with no humanitarian help. We want
all the people here to have a little something.
—Alpha Vonzia, chief of Congo Rive village
”

Alpha Vonzia, 43, fishes in the Oubangui river that marks the border between
the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He
leads a simple life as chief of Congo Rive village, but now in addition to the
300 residents of his village, he is taking care of thousands of newly-arrived
Central African refugees, following the violence in Bangui in January 2021.
© UNHCR/Adrienne Surprenant

92 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 93
 REGIONAL SUMMARIES I SOUTHERN AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I SOUTHERN AFRICA

OVERVIEW AND KEY DATA IN SOUTHERN MAJOR SITUATIONS IN 2020

AFRICA IN 2020 THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
44,429 IDP households 530,333 people of concern 119,467 people of concern
received cash grants for basic reached with core relief items. received emergency shelter.
and domestic items.
The humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remained complex in 2020, particularly
in eastern provinces. 5.2 million people remained internally displaced, while more than 861,000 Congolese
refugees and asylum-seekers were hosted in neighbouring countries. UNHCR strengthened its emergency
861,000 support in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri provinces, in line with UNHCR’s IDP policy. 44,429 IDP households
CONGOLESE REFUGEES received cash grants for basic and domestic items. The situation was characterized by the large number of
DEMOCRATIC THE DEMOCRATIC AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS IN
IDPs, a complex security situation that caused repeated internal displacement, and limited resources for
REPUBLIC OF REPUBLIC OF
REPUBLIC OF NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES
humanitarian actors to provide protection and assistance to IDPs. These factors contributed to onward
THE CONGO THE CONGO
THE CONGO 5.2 million displacement to neighbouring countries.
IDPs

L3 $160.1 million 1.4 IDP

million
Under the 2020 Regional Refugee Response Plan for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UNHCR led
funds available 66 partners in seven neighbouring countries of asylum to provide multisectoral assistance, protection and
RETURNEES
solutions.
47% funded
51% While humanitarian assistance was an essential component of UNHCR’s response, promotion of sustainable
OF REFUGEES AND
ASYLUM-SEEKERS livelihoods and inclusion of refugees into national development plans were also prioritized, reflecting the
0 $342.3 million WERE WOMEN
MALAWI required whole-of-society approach of the Global Compact on Refugees.
ANGOLA 55%
OF REFUGEES AND
ZAMBIA ASYLUM-SEEKERS
WERE CHILDREN

L2
MOZAMBIQUE
ZIMBABWE MADAGASCAR

NAMIBIA
BOTSWANA

Situation
ESWATINI
CRRF country
LESOTHO
IDP initiative country
SOUTH

L2/3 Level of emergency AFRICA

REGIONAL FUNDING OVERVIEW

PEOPLE OF CONCERN AND EARMARKING
8.5 million people of concern in 2020 $207.5 million funds available in 2020
$324.7 million
0 9% of the global population of concern 91.9 million 0 64% funded required

People of concern | 2015-2020 Monthly evolution of funding | 2020

Refugees Asylum-seekers IDPs Unearmarked Softly earmarked Earmarked Tightly earmarked
Stateless persons* Returnees (refugees and IDPs) Others of concern

10 250

8 17% 200 15%

6 150
USD Millions

23%
Millions

4 100
71% 31%

2 50
4% 31%
0 8% 0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
*Data on stateless persons in Southern Africa not available.

94 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 95
REGIONAL
R E G I O N ASUMMARIES
L S U M M A R|ISOUTHERN
E S I S O UAFRICA
THERN AFRICA R E G I O N ASOUTHERN
L S U M M A RAFRICA
I E S I |SREGIONAL
O U T H E RSUMMARIES
N AFRICA

KEY RESULTS AND TRENDS IN 2020

UNHCR’S PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSE TRENDS IN RESPONSE

WASH Cash assistance by sector in Africa | 2016-2020

CHILD PROTECTION Evolution compared to 2019 Evolution compared to 2019
Basic needs Seasonal grants Life-saving support Solutions
1,651 unaccompanied or separated 19 litres of potable water available on
children had a best interests assessment average per person per day in refugee
-100% 0 +100%
2020 $58.8***
initiated or completed. -100% 0 +100% camps.
+19% $50.5
62% of households had a drop-hole 2019
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE latrine or drop-hole toilet. -100% 0 +100%
2018 $46
3,390 gender-based violence incidents +28%
reported for which survivors received
-100% 0 +100%
EDUCATION** 2017 $62.9
psychosocial counselling. +8%
63,374 children enrolled in primary 2016 $51.5
-100% 0 +100%
education.
CORE RELIEF ITEMS -13% 0 20 40 60 80
9,494 students enrolled in secondary
+55% USD millions
124,164 households provided with core education. -100% 0 +100%
***Including $8.8 million in the Southern Africa region.
relief items. -100% 0 +100%
1,162 people of concern received -33%
+94%
68,020 women received sanitary tertiary education scholarships. -100% 0 +100%
materials. -100% 0 +100%
Individual registration records | 2016-2020 Resettlement departures | 2016-2020
SELF-RELIANCE Individual registration records in PRIMES proGres v4 Individuals
HEALTH
-92% individuals (5 years and above) with biometric records in PRIMES 4,000
+69% 236 people of concern enrolled in 3,756
1.05 under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000 -100% 0 +100%
vocational training. -100% 0 +100% In millions 3,500
under-5s per month) in refugee camps.
1.2 1.1 1.1 3,000
92% of births in refugees camps were -6%
VOLUNTARY RETURNS 1.0 2,500
attended by skilled personnel.* -100% 0 +100%
-57%
6,275 refugees assisted to return 0.8 2,000
1,706
voluntarily. -100% 0 +100%
0.6 0.5
0.5
0.5 1,500
SHELTER 0.4
1,610 1,342
+410% 0.4 1,000
76,547 people of concern received 0.1 0.4
emergency shelter. -100% 0 +100% RESETTLEMENT 0.2 500
+72% -64% 0.2 501
0.1
62% of households lived in adequate 1,371 resettlement submissions. -100% 0 +100%
0 0
-100% 0 +100% 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
dwellings.

*Four countries reporting in 2020 compared to three countries reporting in 2019.

**While enrolment rates for the school year were high, a majority of those enrolled did not attend school due to COVID-19 restrictions.

UNHCR’S COVID-19 RESPONSE

1,369,515 refugees, IDPs and other 560,399 refugees and other 18,129 refugees and other people of 3,572 children 6-59 months 2,405 children and youth supported
people of concern accessed people of concern received essential concern provided with mental health admitted for treatment of moderate with distance/home-based learning.
protection services. health care services. and psychosocial support services. acute malnutrition.

48,324 women and girls accessed 11 country operations reported all 83,380 refugee children and youth
261,359 refugees, IDPs and other geographic areas inhabited by people
1,835 children 6-59 months admitted
people of concern received cash sexual and reproductive health for treatment of severe acute out of school due to mandatory school
of concern were reached by COVID-19
assistance related to the impact of services. malnutrition. closures.
information campaigns.
COVID-19.

PN UNHCR
96 U N H C RGLOBAL
G LO B AREPORT
L R E P O2020
R T 2 02 0 U N H CUNHCR GLOBAL
R G LO B A L R E PREPORT 2020
O R T 2 02 PN
0 97
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I SOUTHERN AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I SOUTHERN AFRICA

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACT programmes were adapted to observe

physical distancing, with health protocols
decreasing from around 3,800 submissions
in 2019 to 1,371 submissions in 2020.
at registration and food distribution In line with UNHCR’s three-year
points, and hotlines and community global strategy on resettlement and
Safeguarding access to protection facilitate refugee status determination protection structures to report protection complementary pathways (2019-2021),
and asylum and identify solutions, while the Comoros issues and assistance needs. UNHCR’s UNHCR conducted training for
expressed its intention to ratify the response focused on communicating resettlement and protection staff,
UNHCR’s multi-year, multi-partner
1951 Convention relating to the Status about prevention measures, strengthening including on family reunification,
protection and solutions strategy for
of Refugees and the 1969 OAU health systems, reinforcing water, educational opportunities, employment
Southern Africa provided a strategic
Convention Governing the Specific sanitation and hygiene services, and opportunities, humanitarian pathways
framework in the region to ensure access
Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. supporting isolation and quarantine and private sponsors.
to protection and asylum. National
In line with its strategy to address units, particularly in refugee camps
migration and asylum systems remained
mixed movements in Africa, UNHCR and settlements. Ensuring protection and durable
overwhelmed and in need of strengthening
implemented the first year of a four-year solutions for IDPs
to manage mixed movements of refugees,
joint project with the ILO, IOM and Seeking durable solutions for
asylum-seekers and migrants originating By the end of 2020, the Southern Africa
UNODC to support SADC member States protracted refugee situations
from over 90 countries. To address this, region hosted around 6 million IDPs,
in strengthening institutional mechanisms 6,275 people were assisted to return
UNHCR strengthened the quality and mainly in the Democratic Republic of
for asylum and migration management. home in 2020, although border closures
integrity of registration and refugee status the Congo and Mozambique. Violence in
determination processes by providing prompted by COVID-19 forced UNHCR to eastern Democratic Republic of the
technical and financial support. As the
Responding with life-saving suspend voluntary repatriation operations Congo pushed the number of IDPs to
pandemic restricted access to territory,
assistance from March onwards. Tripartite 5.2 million by the start of 2021. UNHCR
UNHCR successfully advocated for UNHCR provided protection and consultations continued between UNHCR, allocated additional funding for shelter
keeping asylum open. The number of multisectoral assistance to people of the Government of the Democratic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
people biometrically registered in the concern and host communities affected Republic of the Congo and relevant improving the lives of over 175,000 people,
region fell 10% due to the verification by new emergencies and protracted countries of asylum regarding the having identified vulnerable families
exercise of South Sudanese refugees, displacement. Some 1.4 million refugees, voluntary repatriation of Congolese and durable solutions thanks to close
voluntary repatriation, spontaneous IDPs and other people of concern refugees and asylum-seekers. cooperation between Shelter, Protection
returns, resettlement departures to third received protection services. The Governments of Namibia and Burundi and Camp Coordination and Camp
countries and movements outside the and UNHCR initiated discussions on Management Clusters. UNHCR also
region. The pandemic also slowed UNHCR’s response was anchored in repatriation of Burundian refugees from sought to reinforce host families
biometric registration. national systems and development plans, Osire camp, with “go and see” visits and by providing support for additional
with cash assistance an integral element. intentional surveys planned for early 2021.
UNHCR and the Southern African rooms and housing on their land, and
Cash assistance was introduced for urban
Development Community (SADC) In Zambia, UNHCR continued its efforts by improving living conditions for
refugees in South Africa who could no
established a five-year joint action plan to help integrate former Angolan and families who have been residing at
longer access socioeconomic
to support ratification of key instruments Rwandan refugees by supporting self- overcrowded sites for years by using
opportunities and for camp-based
by SADC member States, strengthen reliance and socioeconomic inclusion a villagization approach.
refugees in Zambia whose livelihood
research, harmonize processes and help and moving away from encampment
opportunities were severely affected by A deteriorating security situation in
develop appropriate policies. approaches. In Zimbabwe, the African
COVID-19. Increased cash assistance Cabo Delgado Province in north-eastern
Development Bank funded a UNHCR
In the Republic of the Congo, a national helped offset WFP food ration cuts, Mozambique displaced 530,000 people
scheme to expand self-reliance
asylum law was under consideration by which were seriously affecting people in Cabo Delgado. Over 90% remained
opportunities through agricultural
the Government, while the Seychelles of concern in Angola, the Democratic in the province and others fled to the
activities. In Namibia, some Angolan
requested technical support in drafting Republic of the Congo, Malawi, neighbouring Nampula (9%) and Niassa
refugees received legal assistance to
a national legal asylum framework that Mozambique and Zambia. 261,400 people Provinces. UNHCR led the Protection
acquire permanent residence.
could serve as a model for other Indian of concern received cash assistance to Cluster and actively participated in the
Ocean island States. Mauritius and mitigate the impact of COVID-19, which Resettlement in Southern Africa was Shelter Cluster and Camp Coordination
UNHCR agreed on standard operating caused over 1.2 million confirmed cases severely constrained by the COVID-19 and Camp Management Cluster.
procedures to prevent refoulement, in Southern Africa in 2020. UNHCR pandemic, with third-country resettlement UNHCR scaled up operations in northern

98 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 99
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I SOUTHERN AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I SOUTHERN AFRICA

provinces and worked with partners South Africa, with a view to providing FINANCIAL INFORMATION
and the Government to increase access to documentation or to confirming
protection services and promote nationality. Approximately 500 people of
concern had their nationalities confirmed.
Consequences of underfunding funding to solarize the network and
humanitarian access. UNHCR also
prevent power outages.
prioritized gender-based violence COVID-19 compounded difficulties in the
prevention and response activities. Implementing pledges made at region and obliged UNHCR to reallocate Across the region, COVID-19 kept
the Global Refugee Forum from a chronically underfunded budget, 83,000 children out of school, but UNHCR
Reducing and preventing During the 2019 Global Refugee Forum,
providing pandemic-related cash could only support 2,405 with distance/
statelessness the region demonstrated extraordinary
assistance to 261,359 people of concern. home-based learning. In the Republic of
the Congo, there was too little funding to
Positive steps were taken towards political will to support the Global The unmet needs were often acute: in
build classrooms, pay volunteer teachers
reducing and preventing statelessness Compact on Refugees, with 69 pledges the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
and buy school supplies for children,
in Southern Africa, although the pandemic covering refugee integration, registration only 25% of survivors of gender-based
leaving overcrowded primary schools at
slowed progress. The Republic of the and access to identity cards, agricultural violence received medical aid, 15% got
risk of COVID-19 and unable to provide
Congo, the Democratic Republic of land and work permits, higher education, legal aid, and 1 in 200 got livelihoods
quality education.
the Congo, Namibia and Zambia made asylum procedures and legal frameworks. support. Across the country, UNHCR’s
progress towards accession to the States submitted additional pledges at assistance reached fewer than half of In Angola, UNHCR had planned an
Statelessness Conventions with support the Forum and the High-Level Segment those identified as having specific needs. employment initiative for vulnerable urban
from UNHCR. Furthermore, UNHCR on Statelessness. Twelve States and four In the north-west, a shortfall in resources refugees whose undocumented status
provided technical support to the organizations in Southern Africa provided undermined standards of health care for made it hard to find work and access
Republic of the Congo and Eswatini, 65 pledges, the second highest among Central African refugees. basic services, as well as putting them
following their adoption of national action UNHCR’s seven regions. 70% of pledges at risk of detention and exploitation.
Underfunding also affected UNHCR’s
reported are at the implementation or However, COVID-19 made it impossible
plans to end statelessness. Areas of focus ability to meet basic needs in Dzaleka
planning stage. for UNHCR to cover the needs of
included reforming nationality laws and refugee camp in Malawi, where
extremely vulnerable families, forcing
enhancing civil registration systems. In Zambia, 1,054 refugee and host 46,000 mainly Burundian, Congolese and
it to halt the jobs scheme.
National plans were awaiting formal community farmers were included in Rwandan refugees and asylum-seekers
endorsement by Angola, the Democratic national agriculture input support occupied a site meant for 10,000. Access Under-investment in agriculture and
Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, programmes. More than 2,300 people to clean water increased from 8.6 litres livelihoods in Eswatini and Namibia
Namibia and Zambia. Data collection of concern have been registered in the per day per person in 2019 to 12 litres, still derailed refugee self-reliance and
efforts on the risk of statelessness, Zambia Integrated Agriculture Information barely above half the minimum standard UNHCR’s planned phase-out of
profiles and size of affected populations Management Systems, pending inclusion of 20 litres. The congested camp, relying operations. In Zambia, most refugees
in a number of countries were initiated in the Farmer Input Support Programme. on a health centre serving 80,000 people, lived in dilapidated or inadequate
and supported by UNHCR. Legal aid was To further expand agricultural livelihoods, posed a serious COVID-19 risk. Water shelters, and reception facilities were
provided to some 2,000 people of 700 farm plots were allocated to refugee was also EXPENDITURE
short in Zimbabwe’s Tongogara
IN SOUTHERN AFRICAbelow minimum standards for
| 2016-2020
concern in Madagascar, Mozambique and farmers in Mantapala. refugee camp, where UNHCR lacked humanitarian and psychosocial needs.

EXPENDITURE VIA PARTNERS | 2020 EXPENDITURE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA | 2016-2020

EXPENDITURE VIA PARTNERS | 2020 250

USD Millions
$196 $199
$73 million spent via 75 partners in Southern Africa 200
$167 $170

14 Government 36 National NGO 150

partners, $8.8M partners, $26.7M $123
Pillar 1
100
Pillar 2
Pillar 3
Pillar 4
50
23 International NGO partners, 2 UN agencies,
$36.5M $1M
0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

100 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 101
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I SOUTHERN AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I SOUTHERN AFRICA

BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA | USD VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOUTHERN AFRICA | USD
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4 PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 4

Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP % OF % OF Refugee Stateless

OPERATION TOTAL REGIONAL EXP VS DONOR IDP projects ALL PILLARS TOTAL
programme programme projects projects programme programme
TOTAL BUDGET

Norway 1,131,606 1,131,606

Regional Bureau for Southern Africa1 Budget 11,262,373 - - - 11,262,373 3%
Canada 1,117,700 1,117,700
Expenditure 10,154,554 - - - 10,154,554 5% 90%
Regional activities for Southern Africa1 Budget 2,436,422 - - - 2,436,422 1% Spain 870,819 870,819
Expenditure 144,678 - - - 144,678 0% 6% Czechia 862,441 862,441
UK for UNHCR 850,625 850,625
SUBTOTAL Budget 13,698,795 - - - 13,698,795 4%
African Development Bank Group 596,083 596,083
Expenditure 10,299,232 - - - 10,299,232 5% 75%
UNAIDS 523,450 35,000 558,450
Qatar 399,277 399,277
Angola Budget 22,479,704 120,000 - - 22,599,704 7%
Expenditure 11,494,548 11,852 - - 11,506,400 6% 51% Private donors in the United States of America 319,336 319,336
The Republic of the Congo Budget 25,940,642 1,154,957 - 2,311,039 29,406,638 9% Private donors in Switzerland 234,293 8,542 242,835
Expenditure 8,654,402 428,836 - 1,666,220 10,749,458 5% 37% Country-based pooled funds 200,002 200,002
Democratic Republic of the Congo Budget 100,685,348 5,787,283 6,233,495 55,513,730 168,219,857 52% WFP 197,500 197,500
Expenditure 50,962,210 2,631,932 3,379,144 52,715,676 109,688,963 55% 65% USA for UNHCR 170,850 170,850
Malawi Budget 21,593,588 - - - 21,593,588 7% Private donors in Japan 160,761 160,761
Expenditure 13,575,531 - - - 13,575,531 7% 63% 158,664 158,664
Belgium
Mozambique Budget 5,665,109 226,132 - 4,232,363 10,123,604 3%
United Nations Peacebuilding Fund 130,255 130,255
Expenditure 4,242,015 35,765 - 3,712,366 7,990,146 4% 79%
Education Cannot Wait 120,000 120,000
South Africa Multi-Country Office2 Budget 25,030,263 1,823,602 - - 26,853,865 8%
Expenditure 14,319,414 714,668 - - 15,034,082 8% 56% Angola 120,000 120,000
Zambia Budget 24,621,490 - - - 24,621,490 8% Australia for UNHCR 111,495 111,495
Expenditure 13,611,803 - - - 13,611,803 7% 55% United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security 107,171 107,171
Zimbabwe Budget 7,296,307 297,952 - - 7,594,259 2% España con ACNUR (National partner in Spain) 103,216 103,216
Expenditure 6,963,333 73,857 - - 7,037,190 4% 93% United Nations Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund 90,000 90,000

TOTAL Budget 247,011,245 9,409,927 6,233,495 62,057,132 324,711,800 100% Private donors in the Republic of Korea 77,812 77,812
Expenditure 134,122,489 3,896,910 3,379,144 58,094,262 199,492,805 100% 61% Portugal 59,737 59,737
1
Regional Bureau and activities cover the whole Southern Africa region. Start-up Fund for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration 37,500 37,500
2 Includes activities in Botswana and South Africa and also covers without a country presence the Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia and the Seychelles. 36,472 36,472
Private donors in France
Botswana 30,472 30,472
Private donors in South Africa 29,039 29,039
South Africa 19,481 19,481
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOUTHERN AFRICA | USD Liechtenstein 13,879 13,879
Japan for UNHCR 3,485 3,485
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 4
Private donors in China 1,802 1,802
Refugee Stateless
DONOR IDP projects ALL PILLARS TOTAL Private donors in Singapore 1,573 1,573
programme programme
Private donors in Italy 333 333
United States of America 22,887,250 5,000,000 51,493,146 79,380,396
Private donors in Canada 133 133
Germany 7,828,283 5,847,953 13,676,236
Private donors in Belgium 119 119
Central Emergency Response Fund 900,023 10,807,560 11,707,583
Private donors in Kenya 110 110
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 3,448,004 204,007 3,652,011
Finland 3,300,330 3,300,330 TOTAL* 42,595,041 172,530 19,379,766 74,229,365 136,376,701
227,365 2,932,678 3,160,044
*
Notes:
UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe (National partner in Germany) 1)
Contributions include 6.5% indirect support costs.
Sweden 3,112,033 3,112,033 2)
Overall contributions to Africa have been apportioned to the three regions of Africa.
3)
Includes a total of $0.2 million acknowledged in past years for activities with implementation in 2020 and excludes $2.8 million acknowledged in 2020 for activities with implementation in 2021 and beyond.
European Union 2,103,271 651,154 2,754,425 4)
Includes contributions earmarked to the Democratic Republic of the Congo situation.
Japan 467,927 1,465,527 556,586 2,490,040
Denmark 665,564 172,530 1,472,537 2,310,631
France 1,901,939 1,901,939

102 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 103
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

REGIONAL SUMMARIES

West and
Central Africa

“ I don't need anything except education for my children.

—Aishetu, Nigerian IDP
”
Aishetu fled her village in north-east Nigeria with her eight children after her
husband was murdered by an armed group that threatened to kill her as well. Now
she lives in Bakassi IDP camp where she runs her own small shop selling snacks
and sodas. She not only provides for her own family, but also cares for 16 IDP
children orphaned by the same violence that left her a widow. She hopes that
through education, her children can grow and help those around them.
© UNHCR/Roland Schönbauer

104 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 105
 REGIONAL SUMMARIES I WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

OVERVIEW AND KEY DATA IN WEST AND MAJOR SITUATIONS IN 2020

CENTRAL AFRICA IN 2020 THE SAHEL
25,008 children enrolled in 79,530 people of concern 154,024 people of concern
primary school. reached with core relief items. received shelter assistance.
In 2020, the severe humanitarian and protection crisis in the Sahel region was exacerbated by the pandemic.
Intensified violence and sociopolitical tensions caused further displacement, increasing IDP numbers by 80%.
Devastating droughts, floods and other climate-related hazards left thousands without shelter.
UNHCR and partners prioritized prevention and response to gender-based violence, shelter, core relief items,
858,000 education and environmental protection efforts. In line with its Sahel strategy, UNHCR increased
MALI REFUGEES AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS

L2 THE SAHEL IN BURKINA FASO, CHAD, gender-based violence prevention and response programming, conducting safety audits and assessments
MALI, MAURITANIA AND NIGER
and setting up mobile clinics. 791 survivors received medical care and 825 received psychosocial support.
NIGER $150.4 million 1.5 million 154,000 people got shelter support and almost 80,000 people of concern received core relief items.
L2 funds available IDPs IN BURKINA FASO, MALI
CHAD AND WESTERN NIGER
UNHCR supported the intergovernmental Bamako Process which aims to enhance the protection
L2 81% funded 666,000 environment in the Sahel. Jointly with the Danish Refugee Council and over 20 other protection actors,
IDP AND REFUGEE RETURNEES
L3 UNHCR also developed Project 21, a harmonized protection monitoring project piloted in Burkina Faso, Mali
BURKINA FASO 0 $185.7 million 138,000 and Niger to enhance evidence-based programming in the Sahel.
required OTHER PEOPLE OF CONCERN
NIGERIA

NIGERIA
CENTRAL 92,800 people of concern 17,077 households received 20,318 people of concern
AFRICAN REPUBLIC were assisted with civil shelter assistance. received livelihoods support.
registration or documentation.
NIGERIA The Lake Chad Basin’s volatile and precarious security situation impeded humanitarian access and protection
$67.6 million CAMEROON in 2020. Displacement in border areas between Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria increased IDP numbers
funds available by 13% to over 2.9 million and refugee numbers by 10% to 305,000.
305,000
53% funded CENTRAL AFRICAN REFUGEES IN UNHCR maintained emergency assistance and emphasized medium-term responses including civil
THE LAKE CHAD BASIN registration, documentation, social cohesion, resilience and self-reliance. An adapted protection strategy
REPUBLIC
2.9 million focused on access to territory and asylum, non-refoulement and prevention and response to gender-based
0 $126.5 million
required CAMEROON $89.3 million IDPs IN THE FAR NORTH OF violence. UNHCR’s response provided 40,000 households with core relief items, and 20,318 people got
funds available CAMEROON, SOUTH-WESTERN start-up materials, loans or training as livelihoods support. UNHCR monitored protection in all four countries,
$29.7 million CHAD AND NORTH-EASTERN
with 9,247 protection monitoring missions in Nigeria alone. UNHCR led all four countries’ Protection Clusters
funds available 59% funded NIGERIA
and the Shelter/Non-Food Item or Shelter/Camp Coordination and Camp Management Clusters in Cameroon,
Situation 56% funded Chad, Niger and Nigeria. UNHCR also led its sixth coordinated Nigeria Regional Refugee Response Plan,
0 $150.8 million bringing together 40 partners to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance, protection and resilience
CRRF country required
programmes to almost 305,000 Nigerian refugees and their hosts in Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
0 $53.3 million
required
IDP initiative country CAMEROON
L2/3 Level of emergency 2,874 IDPs received identity 20,740 people of concern 3,020 Cameroonian refugees
documents. received shelter support. received livelihoods support.
The crisis in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions persisted, with a 5% rise in IDPs and a 
REGIONAL FUNDING OVERVIEW 22% increase in Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria, where UNHCR assisted more than 50,000 Cameroonians,
PEOPLE OF CONCERN AND EARMARKING providing food assistance in refugee settlements and coordinating out-of-camp approaches with local
9.6 million people of concern in 2020 $454.9 million funds available in 2020 63,600 authorities to strengthen national services and support displaced populations and their hosts in south-east
Nigeria. UNHCR distributed core relief items to 7,582 IDP households in Cameroon and supported
$665 million CAMEROONIAN
0 10% of the global population of concern 91.9 million 0 68% funded required REFUGEES IN NIGERIA Government efforts to provide documentation to IDPs and returning populations, ensuring that 2,874 IDPs
711,000 received identity documents. UNHCR undertook protection monitoring and set up a gender-based violence
IDPs IN SOUTH-WEST AND response adapted to COVID-19 and security risks.
NORTH-WEST CAMEROON
People of concern | 2015-2020 Monthly evolution of funding | 2020
Refugees Asylum-seekers IDPs Unearmarked Softly earmarked Earmarked Tightly earmarked
361,000
REFUGEE AND IDP RETURNEES
Stateless persons Returnees (refugees and IDPs) Others of concern

10 500 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

2%
7%
15,300 persons at heightened 17,147 people of concern
8 10% 400 24% risk received support. received livelihoods support.
UNHCR supported almost 5,000 Central African refugees’ return journey in early 2020, as the 2019 peace
6 300 agreement encouraged some refugees to voluntarily repatriate. But conflict erupted around December’s
USD Millions

elections, displacing 50,000 people and prompting UNHCR to suspend its voluntary repatriation activities
Millions

32%
67% from Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which had resumed in November after a
4 200 643,000 seven-month halt due to COVID-19.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REFUGEES
22% AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS UNHCR operations in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo and the
IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES
2 100 Democratic Republic of the Congo scaled up their response with shelter support, core relief items, as well as
14% 22% 682,000 support for health care and water and sanitation infrastructure to respond to the pandemic. UNHCR also led
IDPs
the Protection, Shelter/Non-Food Item and Camp Coordination and Camp Management Clusters to ensure
0 0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec a comprehensive response.

106 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 107
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA R E G I O N A L WEST
SUMM AND
A R ICENTRAL
E S I W EAFRICA
S T A N |DREGIONAL
C E N T R ASUMMARIES
L AFRICA

KEY RESULTS AND TRENDS IN 2020

UNHCR’S PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSE TRENDS IN RESPONSE
WASH Cash assistance by sector in Africa | 2016-2020
CHILD PROTECTION Evolution compared to 2019 Evolution compared to 2019
Basic needs Seasonal grants Life-saving support Solutions
2,021 unaccompanied or separated -29%
16.3 litres of potable water available on -4%
children had a best interests assessment average per person per day in refugee
-100% 0 +100%
2020 $58.8***
initiated or completed. -100% 0 +100% camps.

24% of households had a drop-hole -50% 2019 $50.5

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE latrine or drop-hole toilet. -100% 0 +100%
2018 $46
1,286 gender-based violence incidents -12%
reported for which survivors received
-100% 0 +100% EDUCATION** 2017 $62.9
psychosocial counselling. +24%
165,024 children enrolled in primary 2016 $51.5
-100% 0 +100%
education.
CORE RELIEF ITEMS +72% 0 20 40 60 80
+12%
30,493 students enrolled in secondary
65,227 households provided with core education. USD millions
-100% 0 +100% ***Including $19.7 million in the West and Central Africa region.
relief items. -100% 0 +100%
+62% 695 people of concern received tertiary -14%
39,919 women received sanitary education scholarships.
materials. -100% 0 +100% -100% 0 +100%
Individual registration records | 2016-2020 Resettlement departures | 2016-2020

HEALTH* SELF-RELIANCE Individual registration records in PRIMES proGres v4

individuals (5 years and above) with biometric records in PRIMES Individuals
-41% -63%
0.39 under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000 8,990 people of concern enrolled in 5,000
-100% 0 +100% vocational training. -100% 0 +100% In millions
under-5s per month) in refugee camps. 4,132
1.6 1.5 4,000
96% of births in refugee camps were +4%
VOLUNTARY RETURNS 1.4
1.2
attended by skilled personnel. -100% 0 +100% 1.1
-51% 1.2 3,000
9,493 people of concern assisted to 1.0
1.0
0.8
return voluntarily. -100% 0 +100%
0.7 2,233
SHELTER 0.8 2,000
+152% 0.6 0.5 1,311
159,111 people of concern received RESETTLEMENT 0.4 1,000
emergency shelter. -100% 0 +100% -55% 0.2 990
+39% 0.2 0.1 610
37% of households lived in adequate 1,858 resettlement submissions. -100% 0 +100% 0.0
-100% 0 +100%
0 0
dwellings. 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

*Two countries reporting in 2020, compared to three countries reporting in 2019.

**While enrolment rates for the school year were high, a majority of those enrolled did not attend school due to COVID-19 restrictions.

UNHCR’S COVID-19 RESPONSE

4,550,163 refugees, IDPs and 1,051,337 refugees and other 113,481 refugees and other people 30,419 children 6-59 months 45,951 children and youth supported
other people of concern accessed people of concern received essential of concern provided with mental admitted for treatment of moderate with distance/home-based learning.
protection services. health care services. health and psychosocial support acute malnutrition.
services.

1,029,958 refugees, IDPs and 228,843 women and girls 15 country operations reported all 14,921 children 6-59 months 200,309 refugee children and
other people of concern received accessed sexual and reproductive geographic areas inhabited by people admitted for treatment of severe acute youth out of school due to mandatory
cash assistance related to the impact health services. of concern were reached by COVID-19 malnutrition. school closures.
of COVID-19. information campaigns.

108 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 109
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACT Seeking durable solutions for able to depart for resettlement in 2020.
protracted refugee situations This achievement was made possible by
the rapid rollout of COVID-19 prevention
Finding durable solutions remained a
measures and remote interview
priority across the region. Despite
Safeguarding access to protection concern in the region, prompting UNHCR procedures. Focused information sharing
security challenges, the Government of
and asylum to innovate, adapt and reprioritize its and counselling efforts targeted those
Niger and UNHCR were able to close
approach to assistance delivery. In affected by resettlement departure
In 2020, UNHCR worked to maintain Malian refugee camps in early 2020 as
response to increasing reports of delays. Reinforcement of anti-fraud
access to asylum in all countries in West refugees integrated in host communities.
gender-based violence, UNHCR prevention, detection and response
and Central Africa amid widespread This initiative was supported through
expanded its services and accessibility. mechanisms, in line with UNHCR’s policy
border closures due to the pandemic. partnerships with development actors.
Mobile clinics were set up with teams addressing fraud, ensured robust levels of
Efforts to strengthen national asylum The multi-year Refugees and Host
of specialists who provided medical, integrity within resettlement activities
systems yielded significant improvements Communities Support Project programme,
psychosocial, legal and material support across key resettlement operations.
in Chad and Niger. financed by the World Bank and
to over 2,000 survivors by visiting safely
supported by UNHCR, benefited over
A new asylum law was adopted in Chad accessible locations. Remote services Ensuring protection and durable
160,000 refugees and host community
that aimed to strengthen protection of the were also made available by phone and solutions for IDPs
members in Niger by funding livelihoods
483,000 refugees and asylum-seekers WhatsApp, and community-led activities
opportunities and strengthening access The number of IDPs in West and Central
currently residing in the country. It will were strengthened to prevent child
to basic public services. A total of Africa increased by 28% in 2020, largely
also guide the establishment of an marriage, female genital mutilation and
6,800 refugees in Chad received similar due to escalating violence in central Sahel
efficient national asylum system, pursued domestic violence.
support from the World Bank and the countries, where some 1.1 million IDPs were
under the Asylum Capacity Support
After schools closed in March 2020 Government of Chad, and similar projects driven from their homes in Burkina Faso
Group mechanism, and a fair refugee
due to COVID-19, UNHCR quickly were underway in Burkina Faso and alone. The Lake Chad Basin situation and
status determination process.
developed and implemented distance Cameroon. In Chad, UNHCR continued continued instability in Cameroon and the
A new technical committee to reform the learning programmes that reached over implementing its “alternatives to camp” Central African Republic were also major
institutional and normative asylum system 100,000 refugee, IDP and host community initiative, which works to sustainably drivers of internal displacement, and in
in Niger was established. children. Crucial support was also integrate new arrivals into host villages Chad, 336,000 people were internally
provided for schools to reopen safely, and aims to convert 30% of refugee displaced in 2020.
Responding with life-saving including water, sanitation and hygiene camps into villages by 2024. In Ghana,
In response to the situation in the central
assistance interventions in 380 schools and the nearly 2,000 former Liberian refugees had
Sahel, UNHCR and partners provided some
training of around 2,000 teachers to their five-year residency permits renewed
In 2020, UNHCR mobilized to respond to 115,000 people with essential health care
ensure safe practices. The return to thanks to UNHCR’s continued advocacy,
the pandemic across West and Central services and almost 14,000 people (including
school was also supported through allowing them to continue to work legally.
Africa. UNHCR supported the children, parents and primary caregivers)
construction of over 50 isolation and community messaging, grants and cash Although voluntary repatriation efforts were with mental health and psychosocial
quarantine centres and the rehabilitation assistance, transportation allowances severely impacted due to COVID-related support. Around 13,400 households found
or construction of 60 health facilities, and distribution of school kits. border closures and post-electoral violence to be most vulnerable and affected by
including in Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria forced UNHCR to suspend its return COVID-19 were provided with livelihoods
Violence and civil unrest continued to
and Senegal. It also helped to train over programmes in the region, UNHCR assisted support. In addition, around 106,300 people
trigger forced displacement throughout
500 community health workers and almost 5,000 Central African refugees and of concern received shelter support and
the region, and UNHCR continued to
200 health professionals across the region around 330 Ivorian refugees to return some 15,906 households were provided
provide life-saving assistance despite
and contributed to the rehabilitation and home in the first half of 2020. Additionally, with core relief items and unrestricted
the difficult context. More than
equipping of 30 COVID-19 treatment more than 5,000 Malian refugees decided cash grants, while over 850,000 people
150,000 people received emergency
centres, including in Burkina Faso, to return to Mali due to the dire security benefited from protection services.
shelter, and over 300,000 received core
Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Nigeria and situation in Burkina Faso, and were assisted
relief items. UNHCR was able to UNHCR’s renewed engagement in IDP
Togo. In total, over 1 million refugees by UNHCR through documentation, a cash
biometrically register more than 1.2 million responses is expected to help in
and other people of concern received grant for transportation, and a reintegration
people across the region in a COVID- addressing critical needs, particularly
essential health care services across the grant upon arrival.
sensitive manner by implementing where there is a surge in internal
region in 2020.
physical distancing policies, requiring Despite travel restrictions linked to the displacement, and to engage more States
The pandemic exacerbated many of the and distributing masks, and incorporating COVID-19 pandemic, over 990 of the most on durable solutions where there are
protection issues faced by people of additional sanitation measures. vulnerable refugees in the region were protracted IDP situations.

110 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 111
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

Reducing and preventing In 2020, 60 trainees from 30 countries FINANCIAL INFORMATION

statelessness participated in the second statelessness
and nationality course in French, which
Efforts to address statelessness
was organized by the Catholic University
Consequences of underfunding lack of funding. Despite increased health
continued to bear tangible results in needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
of Central Africa and UNHCR in Cameroon. The effects of underfunding were
terms of data collection, legal reforms and there were 40 health centres in
reflected in the response to the COVID-19
research. A 2019 mapping exercise in Cameroon that UNHCR was not able to
Implementing pledges made at the emergency. Throughout the region,
Côte d’Ivoire revealed that over financially support.
Global Refugee Forum operations struggled to mobilize
954,000 persons were stateless or at
resources to respond to the secondary The effects of underfunding were also
immediate risk of statelessness, Of the 133 pledges relating to West and
effects of the health crisis: an increase significant in the Nigeria situation.
highlighting the severity of the issue. In Central Africa made at the High-Level
in incidence of gender-based violence, An estimated 36,000 IDPs in Niger’s Diffa
September 2020, Côte d’Ivoire became Segment on Statelessness in October
a rapid reduction in livelihoods region were not registered due to lack of
the first African country to establish 2019 and at the Global Refugee Forum in
opportunities, and thousands of displaced funding. In Nigeria, of nearly 210,000 IDP
statelessness determination procedures. December 2019, one was fulfilled in 2020
children out of school due to the households surveyed, more than 20%
This will allow stateless individuals to and six are in progress.
pandemic. were living in damaged or makeshift
access the rights enshrined in the 1954
Chad’s asylum law made it one of the shelters.
Statelessness Convention. The In 2020, underfunding in the Central
first countries in the region to fulfil a
Governments of Nigeria and Sierra Leone African Republic meant that two out of every The repercussions of underfunding
pledge made during the 2019 Global
also adopted national action plans to three IDPs (more than 400,000 people) were profoundly felt in the Sahel. While
Refugee Forum. The law ensures
address statelessness. were not able to receive important core violence and the COVID-19 pandemic
fundamental protections for refugees
relief items and shelter support. Cameroon kept thousands of displaced children out
In Mali, recommendations from the final and asylum-seekers, including freedom
hosted more than 316,000 Central African of school in the region, 80% did not have
report of the study on statelessness will of movement, the right to work and
refugees by the end of 2020, but over access to distance learning programmes.
help inform the country’s national action access to health care, education, and
60% did not receive food assistance, In Mali, UNHCR was only able to address
plan. In December 2020, a stocktaking justice, and conforms to international
30% did not have access to safe drinking the shelter and core relief item needs of
event was convened by the Economic standards enshrined in the 1951 Refugee
water, and 34% of refugees still lived in 30% of the displaced population.
Community of West African States Convention and its Protocol and the
substandard emergency shelters due to a
(ECOWAS), the Economic and Monetary 1969 OAU Convention on Refugees.
Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) and The Asylum Capacity Support Group
UNHCR, during which a regional roadmap reinforced the capacities of Chad and
was adopted to guide the implementation Niger's asylum systems, with the support
of the pledges made at the High-Level of France.
EXPENDITURE IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA | 2016-2020
Segment on Statelessness.

EXPENDITURE IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA | 2016-2020

EXPENDITURE VIA PARTNERS | 2020 500
$442
EXPENDITURE VIA PARTNERS | 2020 450

USD million
400
350 $330
$163.7 million spent via 117 partners in $303
$303
West and Central Africa 300
$275
250
31 Government 48 National NGO Pillar 1
partners, $14M partners, $58M 200
Pillar 2
150 Pillar 3
Pillar 4
100
50
38 International NGO partners, 0
$91.7M 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

112 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 113
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA | USD VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA | USD
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4 PILLAR 1 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4

% OF % OF Refugee Reintegration IDP

Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP DONOR ALL PILLARS TOTAL
OPERATION TOTAL REGIONAL EXP VS programme projects projects
programme programme projects projects TOTAL BUDGET
Private donors in Qatar 5,000,000 5,000,000
Regional Bureau for West and Budget 13,709,130 - - - 13,709,130 2%
UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe (National partner in Germany) 4,312,349 4,312,349
Central Africa1 Expenditure 12,937,879 - - - 12,937,879 3% 94%
Country-based pooled funds 3,009,024 250,036 3,259,060
Regional activities for West and Budget 4,060,388 170,000 - - 4,230,388 1%
Italy 2,065,222 1,102,536 3,167,757
Central Africa1 Expenditure 494,946 71,899 - - 566,845 0% 13%
Canada 38,197 189,107 2,609,993 2,837,298
Spain 2,372,136 380,702 2,752,837
SUBTOTAL Budget 17,769,518 170,000 - - 17,939,518 3%
Expenditure 13,432,825 71,899 - - 13,504,724 3% 75% United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1,482,094 1,192,170 6,759 2,681,023
Sweden 2,074,689 2,074,689
Burkina Faso Budget 22,538,553 379,848 - 57,742,340 80,660,740 12% Education Cannot Wait 1,078,980 282,417 209,888 1,571,285
Expenditure 17,937,603 186,993 - 51,975,538 70,100,134 16% 87% Private donors in Japan 1,018,539 447,701 58,610 1,524,850
Cameroon Multi-Country Office2 Budget 72,906,572 861,229 - 22,942,182 96,709,983 15% UK for UNHCR 1,436,347 1,436,347
Expenditure 37,898,439 151,568 - 12,076,299 50,126,307 11% 52% Qatar 1,363,376 1,363,376
United Nations Peacebuilding Fund 399,999 961,663 1,361,662
Central African Republic Budget 15,715,004 841,245 13,335,411 17,620,978 47,512,639 7%
Luxembourg 313,808 941,423 1,255,230
Expenditure 12,238,756 389,107 8,761,423 13,690,873 35,080,159 8% 74%
Switzerland 1,119,010 1,119,010
Chad Budget 115,758,689 909,076 - 7,921,023 124,588,788 19%
Expenditure 68,297,710 282,582 - 5,107,894 73,688,186 17% 59% WFP 938,399 60,996 999,396
Côte d'Ivoire Budget 3,116,885 6,004,664 2,975,895 703,660 12,801,104 2% Private donors in Italy 574,540 225,856 800,395
Expenditure 2,608,226 3,834,625 1,770,459 550,571 8,763,881 2% 68% Belgium 614,573 614,573
Ghana Budget 8,395,829 - - - 8,395,829 1% United Arab Emirates 415,000 415,000
Expenditure 7,737,629 - - - 7,737,629 2% 92% UNAIDS 330,250 78,900 409,150
Liberia Budget 11,485,933 - - - 11,485,933 2% Private donors in the United States of America 318,086 42,600 360,686
Expenditure 10,774,007 - - - 10,774,007 2% 94% Private donors in the United Arab Emirates 268,900 25,048 293,948
Mali Budget 22,741,660 - 9,674,017 15,185,937 47,601,614 7% UNDP 281,110 281,110
Expenditure 12,792,993 - 8,886,410 7,826,692 29,506,094 7% 62% Private donors in France 204,109 204,109
Niger Budget 80,037,457 967,348 - 27,764,248 108,769,053 16% Monaco 196,586 196,586
Expenditure 69,868,529 515,707 - 14,190,418 84,574,655 19% 78% Private donors in China 166,500 166,500
Nigeria Budget 38,701,814 - 15,062,665 36,848,346 90,612,825 14% Iceland 144,760 144,760
Expenditure 22,076,575 - 3,472,260 22,337,199 47,886,035 11% 53% UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund 104,390 104,390
Senegal Multi-Country Office3 Budget 16,452,531 1,476,864 - - 17,929,395 3% Liechtenstein 72,098 72,098
Expenditure 10,105,824 602,471 - - 10,708,295 2% 60% Nigeria 63,735 63,735
España con ACNUR (National partner in Spain) 28,691 13,236 41,927
TOTAL Budget 425,620,444 11,610,274 41,047,988 186,728,715 665,007,422 100%
Private donors in Switzerland 33,877 33,877
Expenditure 285,769,116 6,034,952 22,890,552 127,755,485 442,450,105 100% 67%
Private donors in Kenya 27,940 1,749 29,689
1)
Regional Bureau and regional activities cover the whole of West and Central Africa region. 28,455 28,455
Private donors in Canada
2)
Coordinates activities in Cameroon and Gabon and also covers Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe without presence in the latter countries.
3)
Coordinates activities in Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Togo and also covers Benin, Cape Verde, Gambia and Sierra Leone without presence in the latter countries. Private donors in Nigeria 11,794 11,794
Holy See 7,500 7,500
Private donors in Thailand 4,146 4,146
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA | USD Private donors in Singapore 2,663 2,663
Private donors in Belgium 896 896
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4 Private donors in India 499 499
Refugee Reintegration IDP Private donors in Denmark 345 345
DONOR ALL PILLARS TOTAL
programme projects projects Private donors in Lebanon 223 223
Private donors in Mexico 104 104
United States of America 33,763,848 6,142,310 155,102,657 195,008,815
Private donors in South Africa 93 93
USA for UNHCR 701,700 21,257,753 35,273 21,994,727
Germany 5,106,867 16,116,986 21,223,853 TOTAL* 93,785,112 1,538,595 54,834,895 195,013,900 345,172,502
European Union 14,890,604 1,538,595 4,332,716 20,761,915 *
Notes:
5,235,671 11,168,917 16,404,589
1)
Contributions include 6.5% indirect support costs.
Central Emergency Response Fund 2)
Overall contributions to Africa have been apportioned to the three regions of Africa.
Japan 9,932,661 4,393,592 1,127,644 15,453,897 3)
Includes a total of $8.0 million acknowledged in past years for activities with implementation in 2020 and excludes $12.6 million acknowledged in 2020 for activities with implementation in 2021 and beyond.
4)
Includes contributions earmarked to the Central African Republic, Nigeria and Sahel situations.
France 1,846,939 285,088 5,914,150 8,046,177
African Development Bank Group 5,273,109 5,273,109

114 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 115
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS

REGIONAL SUMMARIES

The Americas

“ We were making great progress towards integration in Chile,

but the pandemic has changed our lives again.
”
—José Domingo Diaz, Venezuelan asylum-seeker in Chile

In May 2020, Venezuelan asylum-seeker José Domingo Diaz and his family
had no family income, after José’s new job opportunity in Santiago, Chile,
disappeared because of the COVID-19 emergency. In Chile, UNHCR
e-vouchers are helping families affected by the pandemic.
© UNHCR/Hugo Fuentes

116 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 117
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS

OVERVIEW AND KEY DATA IN THE AMERICAS MAJOR SITUATIONS IN 2020

IN 2020 VENEZUELA SITUATION
$14.2 million distributed in 148,114 refugees and migrants 38,770 refugees and migrants
cash assistance. were provided with core relief were supported with collective
MEXICO items, such as blankets, mosquito shelter.
nets or mats.
To SPAIN EL SALVADOR, The outflow of over 5 million refugees and migrants from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
GUATEMALA AND represents the world’s second-largest external displacement crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic
BELIZE
HONDURAS exacerbated risks, and many displaced Venezuelans lost their jobs and could not afford food or shelter.
GUATEMALA HONDURAS
5.4 million* Facing eviction, exploitation and abuse, with limited or no access to health care or social protection,
REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS FROM
EL SALVADOR
NICARAGUA TRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO $78.2 million THE BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF around 130,000 saw no option but to return when the pandemic struck, but increasing numbers left again
COSTA funds available VENEZUELA GLOBALLY, OF
RICA PANAMA BOLIVARIAN WHOM 85% (4.6 MILLION) WERE
as restrictions on movement eased. With borders still closed, movements were mostly irregular, adding to
REPUBLIC
69% funded IN HOST COUNTRIES IN LATIN the risks. Within the country, UNHCR assisted 600,000 people at risk of displacement, on the move or
OF VENEZUELA
COLOMBIA
AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN returning in 2020.
0 $113.6 million
171,000 UNHCR and IOM led the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform, coordinating the response for
REFUGEES
ECUADOR required 3.18 million refugees and migrants from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and host communities in
851,000 17 Latin American and Caribbean countries. UNHCR also boosted the Quito process and the organization
ASYLUM-SEEKERS
To the UNITED STATES of AMERICA of a donor conference that pledged $2.8 billion in loans and donations for host governments and
2.5 million humanitarian partners.
RESIDENCY OR REGULAR
PERU
BRAZIL STAY PERMITS ISSUED *This figure includes Venezuelan migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers reported through the Coordination Platform for Refugees
VENEZUELA ACROSS THE REGION and Migrants from Venezuela.

MEXICO To SPAIN PLURINATIONAL

STATE
SITUATION COLOMBIA
OF BOLIVIA
BELIZE $163 million 1,552 individuals and 32,000 IDPs and host 6,759 IDPs received free
HONDURAS PARAGUAY
funds available 54 community-based communities assisted with legal assistance.
GUATEMALA organizations received training registration and
EL SALVADOR CHILE
63% funded in self-governance, community documentation.
NICARAGUA
participation and advocacy.

COSTA RICA 0 $260.7 million COVID-19, new internal displacement and violence by irregular armed groups limited progress on
PANAMA
required
260,800 solutions for IDPs. COVID-19-related restrictions constrained humanitarian access, as did irregular
REFUGEES AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS armed groups, who exerted control over communities and restricted the mobility of 61,450 people.
El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, and Nicaragua* COLOMBIA ARGENTINA FROM COLOMBIA GLOBALLY Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities along the Pacific Coast and in border areas were
*Budget and funding for the Nicaragua situation are mainstreamed into the COLOMBIA 8.3 million particularly affected. Despite national efforts to implement the Peace Agreement, the UN verification
relevant country programmes. IDPs IN COLOMBIA mission in Colombia reports 378 community leaders were killed since 2016. Also, according to OCHA,
$61.9 million 165 people were victims of anti-personnel mines in 2020.
Situation Venezuelan outflow funds available 70,900
PEOPLE NEWLY DISPLACED UNHCR complemented Colombia’s institutional response, providing life-saving assistance and
El Salvador, Nicaraguan outflow 64% funded IN INDIVIDUAL AND LARGE
GROUP DISPLACEMENTS conducting protection monitoring. Collaboration with the Ombudsperson, local authorities and
Guatemala or communities allowed the legalization of 18 informal settlements hosting IDPs and refugees and migrants
Honduras outflow
0 $96.6 million from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
MIRPS country IDP initiative country required
Note: the majority of cross-border entries in 2020 were irregular as a result of
the Covid-19-related restrictions.
El SALVADOR, GUATEMALA AND HONDURAS
$13.1 million distributed in 85,000 individuals supported
cash assistance. with reception.
REGIONAL FUNDING OVERVIEW Economic, political, humanitarian, social and climatic factors—combined with chronic gang violence,
PEOPLE OF CONCERN AND EARMARKING human rights violations and food insecurity—prompted large mixed movements and a steady exodus of
18.4 million people of concern in 2020 $385.3 million funds available in 2020 individuals, families and unaccompanied children. Mexico registered 41,303 asylum claims in 2020,
$611.8 million
550,000 58% of the 2019 figure, but substantially higher than in 2018 when the Mexican Commission for Refugee
0 20% of the global population of concern 91.9 million 0 63% funded required PEOPLE FROM EL SALVADOR, Assistance registered 29,600 claims. With forced displacement increasing pressure on national
GUATEMALA AND HONDURAS
SOUGHT INTERNATIONAL
protection and asylum systems regionally, the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions
PROTECTION IN OTHER COUNTRIES, Framework (known as MIRPS for its Spanish acronym) sought to expand the operational capacity
People of concern | 2015-2020 Monthly evolution of funding | 2020 PRINCIPALLY IN THE AMERICAS
of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Panama to respond and find
Refugees Asylum-seekers IDPs Venezuelans displaced abroad Unearmarked Softly earmarked Earmarked Tightly earmarked 318,600 solutions. During El Salvador’s rotating presidency, as part of the Global Refugee Forum commitments,
INTERNALLY DISPLACED
Stateless persons Returnees (refugees and IDPs) Others of concern WITHIN EL SALVADOR a MIRPS Support Platform was created, with Spain currently holding the presidency.
20 450 AND HONDURAS

400
NICARAGUA
17% 350 15%
15 With borders closed, the number of Nicaraguans seeking international protection grew slightly in 2020,
21% 300 despite COVID-19 and tropical storms compounded with a complex political and socioeconomic
USD Millions

250 situation. In Costa Rica, UNHCR helped 6,537 Nicaraguan households with cash assistance.
46%
Millions

10 COVID-19-related border restrictions added risks to the use of irregular routes and limited the possibility
200
to access asylum. Despite the efforts of host governments, the economic downturn caused by the
47% 150 pandemic prompted return movements in adverse conditions to Nicaragua.
5 100
28% 70,800
REFUGEES AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS UNHCR and partners sought to strengthen asylum systems in host countries, with cash assistance and
50
FROM NICARAGUA GLOBALLY
Nicaraguans’ inclusion in public health systems helping to facilitate their socioeconomic integration.
12%
4% 0
11% 8,700
0 NICARAGUANS RECOGNIZED
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec AS REFUGEES WORLDWIDE

118 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 119
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS

KEY RESULTS AND TRENDS IN 2020

UNHCR’S PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSE TRENDS IN RESPONSE
Cash assistance by sector | 2015-2020
REGISTRATION Evolution compared to 2019 SHELTER Evolution compared to 2019
Basic needs Seasonal grants Life-saving support Solutions
1 million individual registration records +86% 246,490 individuals supported
in PRIMES proGres v4. -100% 0 +100% with reception conditions, including 2020 $32.9
accommodation in reception/transit
143,418 individuals (5 years and above) +22%
centres, emergency, transitional and
-100% 0 +100%

with biometric records in PRIMES. 2019 $26.2

-100% 0 +100% long-term/permanent shelter.

PROTECTION 652 shelters or settlement infrastructure 2018 $8.6

supported by UNHCR (constructed,
+153%
246,449 people of concern received rehabilitated, improved, maintained or -100% 0 +100%
2017 $4.7
legal assistance. -100% 0 +100% established).

1,111 border monitoring visits conducted -44%

2016 $4.6
and recorded. -100% 0 +100%
COMMUNITY-BASED PROTECTION
2015 $5.1
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE 352 community-based committees,
groups or other structures supported or -100% 0 +100%
0 10 20 30 40
10,744 gender-based violence incidents +408% strengthened. USD millions
reported for which survivors received
psychosocial counselling.
-100% 0 +100%
286 projects supporting peaceful -37%
coexistence and benefiting local and Access to information on status determination People of concern provided with
CHILD PROTECTION displaced communities implemented. -100% 0 +100%
procedures | 2015-2020* entrepreneurship training | 2015-2020

5,499 partner and government staff -22% Individuals Individuals

received training on child protection and -100% 0 +100% SELF-RELIANCE 400,000 356,285 14,000 12,984
children’s rights. 350,000 12,000
35,239 people of concern advised on +254%
labour market. 300,000 10,000
CASH ASSISTANCE -100% 0 +100%
250,000
8,000
8,361
116,389 households supported with +138% 200,000 221,993
cash to meet basic needs. RESETTLEMENT 150,000
6,000
-100% 0 +100% -7%
118,174 4,000
1,894 resettlement submissions. -100% 0 +100%
100,000 58,894
CORE RELIEF ITEMS -20% 50,000 23,433
22,720 2,000 1,653
1,125 809
627
+60%
940 UNHCR-facilitated departures. -100% 0 +100% 0 0
113,644 households received core 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
relief items, including seasonal support. -100% 0 +100%

*Registration in the Americas is conducted for assistance and protection interventions, as well as mandate refugee status determination in the Caribbean. In all
other cases, registration is the responsibility of the national authorities.

UNHCR’S COVID-19 RESPONSE

674,274 refugees, IDPs and other 376,042 refugees, IDPs and other 76,447 women and girls accessed 51,225 refugees and other people 27,482 children and youth supported 16 country operations reported all
people of concern accessed people of concern received cash sexual and reproductive health of concern provided with mental with distance/home-based learning. geographic areas inhabited by people
protection services. assistance related to the impact of services. health and psychosocial support of concern were reached by COVID-19
COVID-19. services. information campaigns.

120 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 121
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACT 24 hospitals to be used as resting, triage New pilot resettlement programmes were
and isolation areas. Facilities receiving developed in Colombia and Peru for
people in mixed movements in Panama refugees from the Bolivarian Republic of
were improved with the use of 48 refugee Venezuela. Additional third-country
For more Safeguarding access to protection stakeholders to seek longer-term housing units. Around 77,000 people solutions, involving employment and
information on
protection and and asylum solutions. Lack of documentation in dire need in the Bolivarian Republic education schemes, were explored with
solutions in Central hindered access to basic services and of Venezuela benefited from the Canada to facilitate complementary
America and Mexico, UNHCR bolstered stretched asylum often to health services. With refugees
see Chapter 4 rehabilitation of 58 spaces such as pathways for skilled refugees from the
of the 2020 Global systems in the context of the pandemic. and migrants largely dependent upon the temporary accommodation shelters, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in
Trends report To contain COVID-19, governments in the informal sector of the economy, up to 80%
health care centres, schools, common countries of the Andean region.
region restricted movements, curtailed of refugees in the region are estimated to
entry into their territory, and in some spaces for the communities and shelter
have lost their jobs in 2020 as a result of Ensuring protection and durable
cases suspended or postponed asylum facilities for children, women and elderly.
the pandemic. Protection risks rocketed solutions for IDPs
procedures, eligibility interviews and up, particularly among vulnerable
registration services. UNHCR promoted Seeking durable solutions for The Americas is home to around 8.6 million
population groups, and UNHCR quickly
the adoption of innovative methods and adapted its services to prevent the risk
protracted refugee situations IDPs, whose lives worsened because of the
technology to ensure access to asylum. of transmission, while maintaining In a challenging scenario due to the severe impact of the pandemic. Under the 2019
Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico identity-checking and anti-fraud Policy on UNHCR's Engagement in
socioeconomic impact of the pandemic,
and Uruguay, among others, developed mechanisms. As a result, 574,000 people Situations of Internal Displacement,
UNHCR worked with governments,
remote registration and eligibility received assistance after being registered UNHCR bolstered the development
communities, partners, development
interviews, while the Plurinational State of by UNHCR and partners, a 238% increase of national legislation and policies in
actors, the private sector, and international
Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama versus 2019. El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico in 2020.
financial institutions towards the inclusion
extended the validity of personal
Cash assistance increased in its scope of refugees and migrants in national As part of the Office’s role in the MIRPS
documentation and/or work permits
and reach and new delivery methods recovery plans and protection systems. technical secretariat, together with the
of asylum-seekers via an online
were added, with 374,000 people helped Over 75,000 people affected by the Organization of American States, UNHCR
system. Colombia, Ecuador and Peru
to afford shelter, food, water, electricity economic shock caused by the pandemic reinforced technical capacities of the
extended the regularization process
and transportation. received support to access jobs, run a Working Group on International
for Venezuelans.
business or have better opportunities Displacement, which brought together
UNHCR stepped up its shelter response
Community outreach was expanded for livelihoods. El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico, assisted
in border areas and in urban centres
and UNHCR contributed to 187 support by a high-level expert panel from
across 15 countries to reinforce The MIRPS and the Quito Process made
spaces across the region, providing Colombia. It held four work sessions and
652 collective facilities, with the “inclusion” one of their agenda items.
information and essential services, as well rehabilitation and improvement of adopted policy recommendations on the
as identification and referrals of persons In Ecuador, UNHCR advocacy resulted use of information systems, planning and
temporary collective shelters, access
at heightened risk. As the number of in regulatory changes that allowed asylum- resource allocation and inter-institutional
to rental schemes and hotels for people
gender-based violence incidents seekers to open bank accounts with their coordination.
suffering from evictions after losing
increased in the region, the operations country of origin identification document.
their income, and the construction of UNHCR and the San Remo International
had to quickly adapt to increase In several countries in the region, such as
community infrastructure. In Tapachula Institute on Humanitarian Law organized
aid offered to survivors of around Mexico and Peru, refugees and asylum-
(Mexico) the first shelter receiving training for government officials from
10,700 incidents through remote only refugees and asylum-seekers seekers with medical training were
Mexico and Central American countries.
services, a 400% increase versus 2019. was opened. employed to help cope with the pandemic.
UNHCR contributed to an initiative
UNHCR furthered health authorities’ Despite the restrictions imposed during the launched by the Protection Cluster,
Responding with life-saving pandemic, UNHCR identified, processed,
pandemic response with the expansion, marking the 20th anniversary of the Guiding
assistance and referred cases for resettlement
renovation and/or construction of health Principles on Internal Displacement, by
UNHCR operations reacted quickly to the infrastructure through 264 projects. programmes and for the protection transfer sharing lessons learned in the Regional
COVID-19 crisis with emergency In Ecuador, 183 refugee housing units arrangements implemented in El Salvador, Exchange on Preventing and Addressing
assistance and engaged with various were installed in 80 health centres and Guatemala and Honduras. Internal Displacement in the Americas.

122 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 123
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS

UNHCR implemented community-based In Argentina, the adoption of a new law Banco Itaú supports operation of

© UNHCR/ Jesus Cova

initiatives to prevent displacement and allowed administrative procedures for late a field hospital in Boa Vista, Brazil
protect those at heightened risk, such as birth registration and the admission of Banco Itaú, one of the largest Brazilian
children, youth, and community leaders. evidence to prove the place of birth. banks, partnered with UNHCR to support the
In El Salvador, the Active Families COVID-19 response plan for Venezuelans developed jointly
In Colombia, 50,791 children born in by Operação Acolhida, the Brazilian Federal Response for
initiative helped 120 families of eight high- Venezuelans, UN agencies and civil society, with the aim of
risk communities to gain awareness on Colombia to Venezuelan parents acquired
assisting displaced Venezuelans. The partnership with Itaú
rights of the displaced population, Colombian nationality by December 2020. provided multifaceted support towards the opening of a
Through the “Primero la Niñez” project, Field Hospital in Boa Vista: in-kind donation of hospital
protection of children and prevention
equipment and medication worth over $2 million, funding
of gender-based violence. Mexico modified its constitution to allow
for medical staff and protection items for COVID-19
the transfer of nationality by jus sanguinis prevention in the Amazonian region ($440,000) and full
The Office rapidly responded to the to children of naturalized parents. review of the hospital’s medical protocols, endorsed by a
needs of those suffering the devasting leading Brazilian hospital (Hospital Sirio-Libanês).
impact of Tropical Storm Eta and
Implementing pledges made at
Hurricane Iota in Honduras, many of
the Global Refugee Forum
whom were IDPs or at risk due to the
deteriorating security situation and UNHCR furthered States and other actors
violence in their communities. In in the implementation of the pledges
Colombia, progress in legalizing informal submitted at the Global Refugee Forum FINANCIAL INFORMATION UNHCR was unable to set up national call
centres and relied on individual partners
settlements—inhabited by Colombian and the High-Level Segment on
Consequences of underfunding and staff mobile numbers to serve
IDPs and returnees and Venezuelan Statelessness in the areas of asylum
refugees and migrants across Colombia,
refugees and migrants—represented capacity-building, education, civil The pandemic prompted UNHCR to Ecuador and Peru. In Colombia, a three-
important steps towards solutions. registration, jobs and livelihoods, re-prioritize activities to provide month pilot with a professional service
Colombia’s Victims and Land Restitution infrastructure, access to services and life-saving cash assistance or shelter provider was launched in the border city
Law was also extended until 2031. inclusion on national systems and to destitute refugees and the displaced of Cúcuta, though the lack of funds
Reducing and preventing solutions and statelessness. As such, population. Rather than suspend prevented its expansion to other locations.
statelessness the Mexican national system for children in-person activities to comply with
and adolescents harmonized child, health measures, it reshaped its services, As countries struggled to make civil
UNHCR strengthened its partnership with migration, and asylum legislation to operating protection and legal services registration COVID-19-compliant,
the Organization of American States’ remotely, and re-assigning funds from UNHCR’s technical and material support
eliminate child detention. Under the
Universal Civil Identity Program in the longer-term programmes towards might have reduced the potential for
UNICEF-UNHCR blueprint, joint action
Americas, and the Latin American and life-saving needs. statelessness for new-borns of refugee
plans were drafted in Ecuador and
Caribbean Council for Civil Registration, and migrant parents, particularly in the
Honduras to benefit child asylum-seekers,
Identity and Vital Statistics. This The stretched budget meant start-up Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, but also
refugees, returnees and IDPs with grants could not be offered to
partnership helped towards achieving full for children of Venezuelan parents in
increased access to education, better 4,000 refugees and migrants in Brazil.
access to documentation and civil registry other countries.
water, sanitation and hygiene, Nor could UNHCR assist 36,000 Colombian,
services by people of concern and
and specialized protection services. Nicaraguan and Venezuelan people of UNHCR sought to support safe houses for
enhancing the capacity of national civil
As chair of the MIRPS Support Platform, concern with emergency unrestricted persons at heightened risk in El Salvador,
registries for the prevention and
Spain coordinated the provision of cash assistance or core relief items in Guatemala and Honduras, but the
reduction of statelessness. As part of this
technical assistance and the exchange border and urban reception areas in challenge of COVID-19 prevention meant
collaboration, two joint reports were
of good practice towards strengthening Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica some struggled to stay open, and there
published: “Emergency response of civil
asylum systems in MIRPS countries. and Ecuador. Consequently, they lacked was no funding for new ones.
registry and identification offices during
the COVID-19 pandemic: good practices, access to food, medicines or housing, and Although indigenous people, Afro-
mechanisms and facilities implemented in many resorted to sex for survival or Colombian people, women, LGBTIQ+
the Americas”, and “Regional study on endured abusive work conditions. persons and youth were
late birth registration, issuance of
nationality documentation and
statelessness”.

124 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 125
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS

disproportionately affected by the armed to provide specialized gender-based BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE IN THE AMERICAS | USD
conflict in Colombia, UNHCR had limited services in areas where sexual
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4
capacity to maintain solutions-oriented exploitation networks operate, like
Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP % OF % OF
programmes for them. Guayaquil or Manta. OPERATION
programme programme projects projects
TOTAL REGIONAL EXP VS
TOTAL BUDGET
Cases of gender-based violence spiked in Most countries in the region imposed
Budget 19,215,254 - - - 19,215,254 3%
countries with existing high incidence lockdowns and school suspensions to Regional Bureau for the Americas1
Expenditure 13,285,200 - - - 13,285,200 4% 69%
such as El Salvador and Guatemala, prevent COVID-19. UNHCR’s assistance Budget 5,625,956 - - - 5,625,956 1%
Regional activities for the Americas1
where more funds would have allowed helped the most vulnerable families Expenditure 4,685,461 - - - 4,685,461 1% 83%
UNHCR to strengthen its national access remote schooling with tablets or SUBTOTAL Budget 24,841,210 - - - 24,841,210 4%
response. In Ecuador, UNHCR was unable Internet access. Others might have had Expenditure 17,970,661 - - - 17,970,661 6% 72%
similar help if funds had been available.
LATIN AMERICA
EXPENDITURE IN THE AMERICAS | 2016-2020 25,550,650 - - 25,550,650 4%
Argentina Multi-Country Office2 Budget -
Expenditure 16,008,216 - - - 16,008,216 5% 63%
Brazil Budget 46,613,056 - - - 46,613,056 8%
EXPENDITURE IN THE AMERICAS | 2016-2020 Expenditure 24,096,951 - - - 24,096,951 8% 52%
Colombia Budget 85,541,869 - - 11,095,654 96,637,523 16%
Expenditure 41,864,662 - - 8,426,071 50,290,733 16% 52%
350
USD Millions

$321 Costa Rica Budget 26,852,308 - - - 26,852,308 4%

Expenditure 16,673,549 - - - 16,673,549 5% 62%
300
Ecuador Budget 74,618,939 - - - 74,618,939 12%
$252
250 Expenditure 33,153,954 - - - 33,153,954 10% 44%
Guatemala Budget 34,628,455 - - - 34,628,455 6%
200 Expenditure 20,964,359 - - - 20,964,359 7% 61%
$134 Honduras Budget - - - 21,973,913 21,973,913 4%
150 Pillar 1
Pillar 2 Expenditure - - - 12,144,725 12,144,725 4% 55%
100 $86 Pillar 3 Mexico Budget 65,212,229 - - - 65,212,229 11%
$73 Pillar 4
Expenditure 40,442,686 - - - 40,442,686 13% 62%
50
Panama Multi-Country Office3 Budget 23,368,351 - - 20,339,280 43,707,631 7%
0 Expenditure 10,914,003 - - 8,336,224 19,250,226 6% 44%
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Peru Budget 48,625,534 - - - 48,625,534 8%
Expenditure 20,154,484 - - - 20,154,484 6% 41%
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Budget 53,666,778 - - - 53,666,778 9%
Expenditure 25,693,893 - - - 25,693,893 8% 48%

SUBTOTAL Budget 484,678,170 - - 53,408,847 538,087,016 88%

Expenditure 249,966,756 - - 28,907,020 278,873,775 87% 52%
EXPENDITURE VIA PARTNERS | 2020
NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
EXPENDITURE VIA PARTNERS | 2020 Canada Budget 2,643,481 - - - 2,643,481 0%
Expenditure 2,361,568 - - - 2,361,568 1% 89%
United States of America Multi-Country Budget 39,933,167 6,333,500 - - 46,266,666 8%
$117.9 million spent via 240 partners in the Americas Office4 Expenditure 18,613,114 3,011,184 - - 21,624,298 7% 47%

SUBTOTAL Budget 42,576,647 6,333,500 - - 48,910,147 8%

17 Government 187 National NGO partners, $66.4M
partners, $4.6M Expenditure 20,974,682 3,011,184 - - 23,985,866 7% 49%

TOTAL Budget 552,096,027 6,333,500 - 53,408,847 611,838,373 100%

Expenditure 288,912,099 3,011,184 - 28,907,020 320,830,302 100%
1
Regional Bureau and regional activities cover the whole Americas region.
35 International NGO partners, 1 UN agency, 2 Coordinates activities in Argentina and Chile and also covers the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay without a presence in these three countries.
$45.5M $1.4M 3 Coordinates activities in Belize, Cuba, El Salvador and Panama.
4 Coordinates activities in Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States of America and also covers Curaçao and Haiti without a presence in the latter two countries.

126 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 127
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS REGIONAL SUMMARIES I THE AMERICAS

VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE AMERICAS | USD VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE AMERICAS | USD
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 4 PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 4
Refugee Stateless IDP Refugee Stateless IDP
DONOR ALL PILLARS TOTAL DONOR ALL PILLARS TOTAL
programme programme projects programme programme projects

United States of America 96,239,385 22,450,000 94,800,000 213,489,385 The World Bank 49,500 49,500
European Union 17,457,522 938,410 18,395,932 Greece 35,545 35,545
Japan 13,266,003 927,644 14,193,647 Colombia 35,000 35,000
Germany 1,497,650 12,509,050 14,006,699 Andorra 23,895 23,895
Sweden 6,250,565 6,250,565 Cyprus 23,502 23,502
Spain 4,446,100 308,100 4,754,199 Private donors in Colombia 15,000 15,000
Private donors in Brazil 2,801,598 1,947,463 4,749,060 Mexico 8,272 8,272
Central Emergency Response Fund 4,270,206 4,270,206 Private donors in Singapore 960 960
USA for UNHCR 3,962,017 2,800 3,964,817 Private donors in Italy 820 34 854
Canada 1,552,727 2,181,818 3,734,545 Private donors in the Netherlands 432 33 466
Norway 2,255,793 386,361 2,642,155 Private donors in Denmark 134 134
Switzerland 255,885 255,885 2,047,083 2,558,854 Private donors in India 12 12
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 2,345,980 4,688 62,432 6 2,413,106
TOTAL* 161,471,568 23,467 25,580,995 124,666,299 311,742,329
Netherlands 2,276,431 2,276,431
*
Notes:
Republic of Korea 1,424,820 841,365 2,266,185 1)
Contributions include 6.5% indirect support costs.
2)
Includes a total of $22.5 million acknowledged in past years for activities with implementation in 2020 and excludes $17.3 million acknowledged in 2020 for activities with implementation in 2021 and beyond.
Italy 1,422,312 1,422,312 3)
Includes contributions earmarked to the situations for El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe (National partner in Germany) 248,680 1,065,365 1,314,045
Ireland 1,100,110 1,100,110
Austria 1,091,703 1,091,703
España con ACNUR (National partner in Spain) 803,843 803,843
Private donors in Mexico 152,956 617,826 770,782
Private donors in France 713,921 713,921
IOM 625,002 625,002
Finland 550,055 550,055
Qatar 505,874 505,874
UNAIDS 316,000 316,000
United Nations Peacebuilding Fund 198,804 101,392 300,196
Sweden for UNHCR 300,000 300,000
Luxembourg 209,205 209,205
Brazil 191,115 191,115
UN Women 139,600 139,600
Fundación ACNUR Comité Argentino (National partner in Argentina) 132,500 132,500
UNICEF 108,754 18,779 1,221 128,754
France 114,035 114,035
Portugal 109,170 109,170
Argentina 107,100 107,100
Private donors in China 102,268 102,268
UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund 14,883 74,900 89,783
Private donors in Switzerland 88,288 1,034 89,322
Private donors in Canada 74,272 13,999 88,270
Private donors in Thailand 74,670 74,670
United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security 73,356 73,356
Guyana 63,531 63,531
Estonia 56,883 56,883

128 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 129
R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C

REGIONAL SUMMARIES

Asia and
the Pacific

“ This infrastructure has been a great support for the people of

Cox’s Bazar, but also the people of this entire region. This is the
only ICU unit for the entire district—not only for COVID-19, but also
for any other medical emergencies.
”
—Dr. Kafil Uddin Abbas, head of the ICU in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

In 2020, one of the key priorities of UNHCR was to improve emergency health
services to ensure access to health facilities, especially for COVID-19, for both
Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh. Huge strides were made
in the establishment of two COVID-19 hospitals and Cox’s Bazar’s first intensive care
unit in the Government-run hospital.
© UNHCR/Kamrul Hasan

130 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 131
 R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C

OVERVIEW AND KEY DATA IN ASIA MAJOR SITUATIONS IN 2020

AND THE PACIFIC IN 2020
AFGHANISTAN
$16.5 million distributed in 12,222 persons at heightened 174 health facilities equipped,
cash assistance. risk received support (non-cash). constructed or rehabilitated.

AFGHANISTAN Despite escalating violence, intra-Afghan peace negotiations presented an opportunity to progress towards
peace, stability, and voluntary repatriation of refugees. The Core Group of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan
$133.2 million Refugees (SSAR) Support Platform was formed, with 13 members aiming to mobilize political, financial, technical
funds available
and strategic support for implementing the SSAR. UNHCR and its partners assisted over 900,000 people of
49% funded 2.8 million concern in priority areas for return and reintegration (PARRs).
REFUGEES AND
ASYLUM-SEEKERS
In the Islamic Republics of Iran and Pakistan, together hosting 2.2 million registered Afghan refugees, UNHCR
ISLAMIC
REPUBLIC
0 $273.5 million
required
2.9 million supported inclusive Government policies by channelling investment into the national public service delivery
OF IRAN AFGHANISTAN
IDPs systems and by securing documentation for refugees. This helped make protection and assistance more effective
PAKISTAN 87,000 and meant better targeted investments to facilitate sustainable return and reintegration in the PARRs in
OTHERS OF CONCERN Afghanistan. During the year, UNHCR facilitated 2,147 Afghan returns.
BANGLADESH
MYANMAR
57%
OF IDPs AND OTHERS OF
CONCERN IN AFGHANISTAN
WERE CHILDREN

21%
MYANMAR OF IDPs AND OTHERS OF
CONCERN IN AFGHANISTAN

$186.7 million
WERE WOMEN
MALAYSIA
funds available

55% funded MYANMAR

$3.8 million distributed in 117,350 households 268 community groups were
0 $338.2 million
required
cash assistance. received core relief items. strengthened to provide
protection support to refugees,
asylum-seekers and IDPs.
UNHCR pursued comprehensive approaches to solutions for the displaced and stateless of Myanmar and sought
Situation
to create conditions conducive to voluntary repatriation of refugees. UNHCR and UNDP implemented
CRRF country 1.1 million community-based projects in Rakhine State to expand all communities’ access to education, livelihoods and
REFUGEES AND
IDP initiative ASYLUM-SEEKERS health care. UNHCR advocated for implementing the 2017 recommendations of the Advisory Commission on
country Rakhine State, particularly lifting discriminatory restrictions on freedom of movement and citizenship for the
370,000 600,000 Rohingya who remain in Rakhine State. Outside of Myanmar, UNHCR led efforts to protect and assist
IDPs
Rohingya refugees across the region. Humanitarian organizations worked closely with the Government of
600,000 Bangladesh to implement COVID-19 mitigation measures for the 867,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
STATELESS IN
MYANMAR (ROHINGYA) A total of 15,423 individuals were registered during the year.
49% As the situation becomes protracted, however, a range of challenges have risen, including security challenges in
OF ROHINGYA REFUGEES Bangladesh, increased detention of refugees in Malaysia, and refusal of several States to rescue and disembark a
AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS
WERE CHILDREN growing number of Rohingya who undertake life-threatening journeys by sea.
REGIONAL FUNDING OVERVIEW
PEOPLE OF CONCERN AND EARMARKING 25%
OF ROHINGYA REFUGEES
9.8 million people of concern in 2020 $468.8 million funds available in 2020 AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS
WERE WOMEN
$808.2 million
0 11% of the global population of concern 91.9 million 0 58% funded required

People of concern | 2015-2020 Monthly evolution of funding | 2020

Refugees Asylum-seekers IDPs Unearmarked Softly earmarked Earmarked Tightly earmarked
Stateless persons Returnees (refugees and IDPs) Others of concern

10 500
7%
2%
12% 19%
8 400

6 36% 300
USD Millions
Millions

50%
4 2% 200

2 41% 100 16%

15%
0 0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

132 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 133
R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C

KEY RESULTS AND TRENDS IN 2020

UNHCR’S PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSE TRENDS IN RESPONSE
Cash assistance by sector | 2015-2020**
REGISTRATION Evolution compared to 2019
HEALTH Evolution compared to 2019
Basic needs Seasonal grants Life-saving support Solutions
2.2 million individual registration +481% 100,000 vulnerable refugees benefited +9%
records in PRIMES proGres v4*. from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s 2020 $26.0
-100% 0 +100%
Universal Public Health Insurance -100% 0 +100%
+1% 2019
1.2 million individuals (5 years and programme. $15.5
above) with biometric records in PRIMES. -100% 0 +100%
2018 $12.9

2017 $29.9
SHELTER
STATELESSNESS 2016 $160.9
-35% 90,000 people benefited from
13,506 persons with undetermined 76 community infrastructure projects. -100% 0 +100%
2015 $24.8
nationality assisted with confirmation -100% 0 +100%

of nationality. 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

VOLUNTARY RETURNS USD millions

CASH ASSISTANCE 2,314 Afghan returnees assisted by -71% Persons with undetermined nationality Verified Afghan returnees*** | 2015-2020
+68% UNHCR. assisted with confirmation of nationality |
$26.0 million distributed in cash -100% 0 +100%

assistance. -100% 0 +100% 2015-2020 Individuals

Individuals 400,000
372,577
RESETTLEMENT 45,000 350,000
-54% 40,000 40,602
CORE RELIEF ITEMS 300,000
2,654 resettlement submissions from -100% 0 +100% 35,000 33,274
+163% the region. 30,000 250,000
150,090 households received core -59%
relief items. -100% 0 +100%
3,131 UNHCR-facilitated departures. 25,000 200,000
21,966 20,644
-100% 0 +100% 20,000 150,000
18,540
15,000
13,506 100,000 58,817
*This includes records of all individuals in proGres v4 at the end of 2020. The increase in 2020 was the result of data migration from proGres v3 to proGres v4. 10,000
5,000 50,000 15,699
58,460 8,079 2,314
0 0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

**The increase in cash assistance in the region in 2016 is explained by a significant increase in voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan that year (over
370,000, the highest annual total since 2005). Under the voluntary repatriation programme, returning refugees receive a cash grant to aid their repatriation and reintegration.

***Figures represent Afghan whose return was facilitated by UNHCR and processed at encashment centers in Afghanistan.

UNHCR’S COVID-19 RESPONSE

1,376,608 refugees, IDPs and other people 1,475,393 refugees and other people of 214,008 refugees and other people of 2,860 children (6-59 months) admitted for
of concern accessed protection services. concern received essential healthcare services. concern provided with mental health and treatment of severe acute malnutrition.
psychosocial support services.

49,163 women and girls accessed sexual and 17,203 children (6-59 months) admitted for 18 country operations reported all
797,561 refugees, IDPs and other people of geographic areas inhabited by people
concern received cash assistance related to the reproductive health services. treatment of moderate acute malnutrition.
of concern were reached by COVID-19
impact of COVID-19.
information campaigns.

134 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 135
R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACT Seeking durable solutions for Ensuring protection and durable
protracted refugee situations solutions for IDPs
The pandemic stalled the limited With conflict-related internal displacement
opportunities for solutions in Asia and in Afghanistan, Myanmar and the
Safeguarding access to protection COVID-19-related travel restrictions.
the Pacific. COVID-19 had a severe Philippines, UNHCR advanced data-
and asylum When individuals sought asylum by sea in
impact: hindering resettlement case driven protection and solutions for IDPs
2020, as was the case for an estimated
In Asia and the Pacific, most countries identification, processing and departures; in line with its policy on engagement in
2,400 Rohingya refugees, the lack of
were quick to include refugees and temporarily suspending facilitated situations of internal displacement.
predictable and equitable regional
asylum-seekers in their COVID-19 voluntary repatriation to Afghanistan,
mechanisms for disembarkation resulted Afghanistan’s IDP population grew by
responses, while working with UNHCR Myanmar and Sri Lanka; and, in some
in vessels being stranded at sea for over 300,000 to 2.9 million. Increased
on prevention measures and equal access cases, triggering premature returns or
months, repeated abuses by smugglers violence and the global health situation
to testing and treatment. Sweeping onward movements as individuals faced
and traffickers, and the loss of as many drove up needs exponentially. UNHCR
restrictions on movement and the difficulties in host countries.
as 200 lives. took an area-based approach to solutions
significant socioeconomic impact of the
In 2020, UNHCR facilitated the return for IDPs, consistent with its mobilization of
pandemic exacerbated refugees’ plight, In 2020, progress was made towards
of 2,436 individuals, primarily to investments in the priority areas for return
however. Often excluded from education, developing national asylum systems.
Afghanistan, significantly lower than and reintegration, while strengthening
livelihoods, and social safety nets, they Thailand established a national screening
8,647 in 2019. Nevertheless, remote community-based protection mechanisms
faced protection risks such as xenophobic mechanism, although implementation
processing modalities established by within displaced communities. This
hate speech, limited access to asylum, was delayed partly due to the pandemic.
UNHCR allowed some refugees in the ensures support for returnees and the
pushbacks at sea, stringent detention UNHCR provided capacity-building and
region to access third-country solutions, communities to which they return.
measures, increased domestic violence, technical support for asylum systems
including over 3,000 refugees who
child protection concerns and mental across the region. In Myanmar, UNHCR was part of wider
departed for resettlement. UNHCR’s
health issues. United Nations efforts to support the
UNHCR strengthened documentation advocacy added to momentum towards
2019 national strategy on resettlement
UNHCR, partners and people of concern securing refugees’ rights, including legal complementary pathways in the region,
of IDPs and closure of IDP camps,
adapted their means of responding to stay, and broadened their inclusion in including the potential for small pilot
particularly in areas where IDP solutions
protection needs during lockdowns. national systems while in exile and upon programmes in the Philippines and
were achievable, such as in Kachin and
To maintain access to asylum and return home. In the Islamic Republic of the Republic of Korea.
northern Shan States, which have
essential protection services, UNHCR’s Iran, for example, UNHCR supported the
UNHCR pursued comprehensive 104,000 IDPs. UNHCR advocated for over
operations in Asia and the Pacific adopted Amayesh XV exercise, which expanded
approaches for Afghan refugees and 140,000 Rohingya IDPs in Rakhine State
remote tools for community outreach, the eligibility criteria for identity
displaced and stateless Rohingya to be allowed back to their places of
registration, status determination and document renewal to include Afghan
from Myanmar, and continued to origin and delivered humanitarian
resettlement processing. With support refugees who missed previous rounds
seek solutions, including voluntary assistance to 106,000 others displaced
and training from UNHCR and its partners, of registration.
repatriation, for the 92,000 refugees in Rakhine and Chin States since 2018.
refugees themselves continued to lead
Across the region, UNHCR implemented from Myanmar encamped in Thailand.
community-based protection initiatives, In the Philippines, UNHCR nationalized
activities to prevent and respond to risks
serving as front-line responders not UNHCR also worked with the its office as it transitioned from leading
of child protection and gender-based
only for COVID-19 but also for broader Governments of India and Sri Lanka the protection cluster in Mindanao. In
violence, including sexual exploitation
protection matters and in natural disaster towards finding a dignified and coordination with the Government and
and abuse. In Bangladesh, Malaysia and
preparation. sustainable resolution of the situation other partners, UNHCR delivered core
Thailand, UNHCR’s extended support
of over 93,000 Sri Lankan refugees relief items to over 60,900 individuals
Access to territory and asylum remained to community-based organizations
who have resided in India for decades. and implemented some 40 quick impact
a challenge. In Asia and the Pacific, reinforced community networks amidst
This has included renewed focus on projects.
only 20 of the 45 countries and territories COVID-19-related restrictions. An additional
supporting voluntary repatriation as well
have acceded to the 1951 Convention 173 female refugee outreach volunteers
as exploring opportunities for local
relating to the Status of Refugees, and strengthened support for vulnerable
inclusion for those who may qualify
many asylum-seekers seek access to refugees, particularly women and girls, in India.
territory by air, an option curtailed by in India.

136 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 137
R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C

Reducing and preventing Malaysia expedited its naturalization FINANCIAL INFORMATION

statelessness procedures, the Philippines passed
legislation on the welfare of foundlings
In addition to its efforts to protect the Consequences of underfunding unrestricted cash assistance in 2020 as
and Thailand reduced administrative
region’s largest stateless group, the in 2019, but UNHCR could support only
requirements for civil registration and In 2020, operations reprioritized
1.6 million Rohingya denied citizenship 10% of refugees.
naturalization. Civil registration interventions and programme delivery
in Myanmar, UNHCR worked to reduce In Myanmar, some 8,000 IDP families
assessment studies were started in to respond to critical needs arising from
and prevent statelessness throughout experiencing long-term displacement
Pakistan, Thailand and Viet Nam to the pandemic. However, underfunding
Asia and the Pacific, supporting legal continued residing in shelters in need of
identify legal and administrative gaps hampered UNHCR’s ability to meet the
and policy reforms that resolved construction or rehabilitation in the camps
that increase the risk of statelessness. needs of vulnerable people of concern,
thousands of cases of statelessness, in central Rakhine State. In Kachin and
particularly in Central Asia, where an most of whom were not covered by
Implementing pledges made at the national social protection systems.
northern Shan States, programmes for
estimated 80,000 individuals’ nationality
Global Refugee Forum persons at heightened risk targeted only
issues have been resolved since the In Afghanistan, despite efforts to support the extremely vulnerable, leaving many
#IBelong campaign began in 2014. At the 2019 Global Refugee Forum, States reintegration in priority areas, return and without any form of support. Shelter
and other entities in Asia and the Pacific
Kyrgyzstan’s more inclusive civil reintegration were hindered by a lack of activities were also affected, with a shortfall
made 120 pledges and other commitments
registration law made it the first State livelihood opportunities and access to of approximately 6,000 units in camps and
towards the objectives of the Global
in the region to completely resolve basic services, particularly land, shelter, 669 units in durable solutions sites.
Compact on Refugees. Despite the
statelessness, while authorities in education and health services. UNHCR
pandemic, progress has been made in the In Bangladesh, UNHCR’s interventions
Uzbekistan estimate that a new could not provide improved access to
areas of jobs and livelihoods, protection aimed to benefit both refugee and host
citizenship law will allow 50,000 stateless education, health, and community
and solutions. In 2020, UNHCR supported communities. Nevertheless, gaps
residents to acquire citizenship. In 2020, infrastructure to some 280,000 individuals
the convening of a business forum to remained, most notably in water,
some 28,400 stateless persons received due to lack of funds. sanitation and hygiene, including latrines,
facilitate refugee employment, the
citizenship in Uzbekistan and 4,200 bathing areas, and faecal sludge treatment.
organization of a conference on women In the Islamic Republic of Iran, while
stateless persons acquired nationality The water supply in Teknaf could not be
and peace, and the provision of pro bono UNHCR made important progress in
in Tajikistan. Kazakhstan adopted upgraded due to lack of funding.
legal assistance to refugee organizations. ensuring refugee access to secondary
statelessness determination procedures
UNHCR built on the full range of pledges and tertiary health care, only 100,000
and strengthened the legal basis for In India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal and
made at the Global Refugee Forum in the extremely vulnerable refugees were
comprehensive birth registration. Thailand, UNHCR was able to provide
region, pursuing comprehensive enrolled into the universal public health cash assistance only to a limited number
In the Islamic Republic of Iran, an approaches to solutions, expanding its insurance, leaving many refugees of people of concern requiring life-saving
amendment to the nationality law enabled evidence base through more rigorous and uncovered. An estimated 95% of refugees emergency assistance. The vulnerability
children of Iranian mothers and foreign systematic data collection and analysis, in the five most refugee-populated of people of concern grew significantly as
fathers to obtain Iranian nationality. and expanding its network of partners. provinces experienced a decrease in the pandemic made it harder to find work,
income and 46% could not meet their children needed extra support and
basic needs. Twice as many vulnerable equipment to study, and health needs
refugees approached UNHCR for increased.
Fast Retailing and UNHCR renew their
©UNIQLO/Kamioka

multifaceted partnership for another

three years
In 2020, Fast Retailing–the parent company
of brands like UNIQLO–and UNHCR renewed their global
partnership for an additional three years. This multifaceted
partnership includes support for the COVID-19 response
and other emergencies, contributions to UNHCR livelihoods
programmes, annual donations of up to 7 million pieces of
clothing, employment of refugees, and awareness-raising
initiatives. In addition to Fast Retailing’s cash contribution
of $1.5 million in 2020, a multi-year contribution of
$5 million was received from TTY Management B.V.,
owned by Fast Retailing’s chief executive officer,
Mr. Tadashi Yanai.

138 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 139
R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C

BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC | USD BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC | USD
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4 PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4

Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP % OF % OF Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP % OF % OF

OPERATION TOTAL REGIONAL EXP VS OPERATION TOTAL REGIONAL EXP VS
programme programme projects projects TOTAL BUDGET programme programme projects projects TOTAL BUDGET

Budget 11,451,970 - - - 11,451,970 1% SOUTH-WEST ASIA

Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific1
Expenditure 11,065,073 - - - 11,065,073 2% 97% Afghanistan Budget 23,873,827 - 72,467,597 26,864,333 123,205,758 15%
Regional activities for Asia and Budget 4,223,010 40,000 - - 4,263,010 1% Expenditure 7,588,653 - 43,355,518 13,668,051 64,612,222 15% 52%
the Pacific1 Expenditure 636,850 35,763 - - 672,613 0% 16% Islamic Republic of Iran Budget 99,861,425 - - - 99,861,425 12%

SUBTOTAL Budget 15,674,980 40,000 - - 15,714,980 2% Expenditure 36,492,845 - - - 36,492,845 8% 37%

Expenditure 11,701,924 35,763 - - 11,737,686 3% 75% Pakistan Budget 72,292,663 580,000 26,789,059 - 99,661,722 12%
Expenditure 48,490,780 191,731 8,146,161 - 56,828,672 13% 57%
CENTRAL ASIA
Kazakhstan Multi-Country Office2 Budget 2,323,280 710,765 - - 3,034,045 0%
SUBTOTAL Budget 196,027,915 580,000 99,256,656 26,864,333 322,728,905 40%
Expenditure 1,853,839 618,783 - - 2,472,622 1% 81%
Kyrgyzstan Budget 1,046,700 173,300 - - 1,220,000 0% Expenditure 92,572,278 191,731 51,501,679 13,668,051 157,933,739 36% 49%
Expenditure 725,110 146,333 - - 871,442 0% 71%
TOTAL Budget 626,145,530 33,536,652 99,256,656 49,309,937 808,248,775 100%
Tajikistan Budget 1,541,247 828,753 - - 2,370,000 0%
Expenditure 343,295,596 17,907,741 51,501,679 30,235,481 442,940,497 100% 55%
Expenditure 1,058,014 510,848 - - 1,568,862 0% 66%
1)
Regional Bureau and regional activities cover the whole Asia and Pacific region.
SUBTOTAL Budget 4,911,227 1,712,818 - - 6,624,045 1% 2)
Coordinates activities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and also covers Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan without a presence in these two countries.
3)
Coordinates activities in Australia and covers New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands without a presence in those countries.
Expenditure 3,636,962 1,275,964 - - 4,912,926 1% 74% 4) EXPENDITURE IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC | 2016-2020
Coordinates activities in Thailand and also covers Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Viet Nam without a presence in these three countries.

EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Australia Multi-Country Office3 Budget 3,276,343 109,134 - - 3,385,477 0%
Expenditure 2,023,754 29,070 - - 2,052,824 0% 61%
China Budget 4,297,067 150,000 - - 4,447,067 1%
Expenditure 3,654,792 141,819 - - 3,796,612 1% 85% EXPENDITURE IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC | 2016-2020
Japan Budget 3,517,486 59,802 - - 3,577,288 0% 500
Expenditure 3,054,524 55,442 - - 3,109,966 1% 87% $443
450

USD millions
Republic of Korea Budget 1,944,507 99,840 - - 2,044,347 0%
400 $386
Expenditure 1,635,115 90,229 - - 1,725,344 0% 84% $376 $369
350
SUBTOTAL Budget 13,035,402 418,776 - - 13,454,178 2% $290
300
Expenditure 10,368,185 316,560 - - 10,684,745 2% 79%
250
SOUTH ASIA Pillar 1
200
India Budget 13,172,644 159,249 - - 13,331,893 2% Pillar 2
Expenditure 8,186,113 115,368 - - 8,301,481 2% 62% 150 Pillar 3
Pillar 4
Nepal Budget 6,316,265 444,935 - - 6,761,200 1% 100
Expenditure 4,612,719 443,750 - - 5,056,469 1% 75% 50
Sri Lanka Budget 3,702,874 78,535 - - 3,781,409 0% 0
Expenditure 2,215,399 42,746 - - 2,258,145 1% 60% 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

SUBTOTAL Budget 23,191,783 682,719 - - 23,874,501 3%

Expenditure 15,014,231 601,864 - - 15,616,095 4% 65%
SOUTH-EAST ASIA EXPENDITURE VIA PARTNERS
Bangladesh Budget 318,821,586 - - - 318,821,586 39% EXPENDITURE VIA PARTNERS | 2020 | 2020
Expenditure 173,799,583 - - - 173,799,583 39% 55%
Indonesia Budget 9,586,171 361,577 - - 9,947,748 1%
Expenditure 7,794,691 3,082 - - 7,797,773 2% 78%
$159.2 million spent via 175 partners in Asia and the Pacific
Malaysia Budget 21,258,740 873,100 - - 22,131,840 3%
Expenditure 13,683,932 129,679 - - 13,813,611 3% 62% 21 Government 116 National NGO
Myanmar Budget 5,333,631 27,178,950 - 19,713,948 52,226,529 6% partners, $27.9M partners, $84.9M
Expenditure 1,481,145 14,079,112 - 14,147,290 29,707,547 7% 57%
Philippines Budget 588,385 337,977 - 2,731,656 3,658,017 0%
Expenditure 554,281 281,544 - 2,420,140 3,255,965 1% 89%
Thailand Multi-Country Office4 Budget 17,715,710 1,350,735 - - 19,066,446 2% 34 International NGO 4 UN agencies
Expenditure 12,688,383 992,443 - - 13,680,826 3% 72% partners, $45.7M $0.7M

SUBTOTAL Budget 373,304,223 30,102,339 - 22,445,604 425,852,166 53%

Expenditure 210,002,016 15,485,860 - 16,567,430 242,055,306 55% 57%

140 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 141
R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C R E G I O N A L S U M M A R I E S I A S I A A N D T H E PAC I F I C

VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ASIA AND THE PACIFIC | USD VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ASIA AND THE PACIFIC | USD
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4 PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4
Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP
DONOR ALL PILLARS TOTAL DONOR ALL PILLARS TOTAL
programme programme projects projects programme programme projects projects

United States of America 83,001,246 42,600 5,200,000 86,355,000 174,598,846 United Nations Population Fund 149,519 149,519
European Union 31,337,572 969,035 185,597 394,825 9,293,219 42,180,248 Kazakhstan 148,936 148,936
Japan 4,730,589 1,045,431 926,635 372,750 18,199,874 25,275,279 Private donors in the Republic of Korea 119,113 12,337 131,450
Australia 11,821,389 21,300 1,341,977 1,304,631 14,489,297 Philippines 100,000 100,000
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 12,651,762 243,200 36,236 12,931,198 Russian Federation 100,000 100,000
Saudi Arabia 10,000,000 10,000,000 Australia for UNHCR 94,460 94,460
Germany 6,806,986 2,362,737 9,169,722 Private donors in Saudi Arabia 88,786 173 88,959
Private donors in Qatar 9,120,594 9,120,594 Private donors in Japan 86,350 86,350
Denmark 4,143,937 53,250 3,592,991 7,790,178 UNDP 68,805 68,805
Republic of Korea 4,138,409 1,098,563 5,236,972 Bulgaria 55,991 55,991
Private donors in Thailand 3,708,814 1,215,418 4,924,232 Turkey 40,525 40,525
Canada 2,417,992 2,472,727 4,890,719 Kyrgyzstan 34,784 34,784
Central Emergency Response Fund 4,316,576 94,222 5,778 4,416,576 Private donors in Switzerland 28,030 2,060 30,090
Sweden 3,807,864 3,807,864 Private donors in Egypt 26,665 796 27,462
UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe (National partner in Germany) 2,630,147 2,630,147 Private donors in Austria 22,727 717 23,444
France 1,423,417 853,916 284,414 2,561,747 Private donors in Italy 17,187 17,187
Finland 2,358,257 2,358,257 Sweden for UNHCR 8,680 8,254 16,934
Norway 869,313 965,904 1,835,217 Netherlands 12,195 12,195
Italy 1,543,550 1,543,550 España con ACNUR (National partner in Spain) 1,045 9,238 10,282
Switzerland 1,535,312 1,535,312 Private donors in Oman 9,481 466 9,947
Qatar 1,319,365 1,319,365 Private donors in India 8,378 8,378
New Zealand 1,297,017 1,297,017 Private donors in Denmark 3,447 758 4,205
Private donors in Singapore 1,227,616 575 1,228,191 Private donors in Kenya 1,077 1,077
Ireland 1,100,110 1,100,110 Private donors in South Africa 261 261
Private donors in the Netherlands 1,000,000 364 1,000,364 Private donors in Belgium 94 60 153
UK for UNHCR 861,047 861,047 Private donors in Mexico 20 88 108
Private donors in Kuwait 660,881 98,605 759,487
TOTAL* 197,087,068 2,431,579 11,510,418 9,190,632 136,569,596 356,789,292
Education Cannot Wait 739,496 739,496
*
Notes:
Private donors in the Philippines 13,437 602,373 615,810 1)
Contributions include 6.5% indirect support costs.
2)
Includes a total of $17.9 million acknowledged in past years for activities with implementation in 2020 and excludes $15.0 million acknowledged in 2020 for activities with implementation in 2021 and beyond.
Private donors in the United Arab Emirates 461,128 142,950 604,077 3)
Includes contributions earmarked to the Afghanistan and Myanmar situations.
Private donors in China 556,657 460 557,117
Luxembourg 523,013 523,013
Private donors in France 490,882 31,812 522,694
Private donors in the United States of America 310,538 87,369 397,907
Private donors in Lebanon 360,814 1,181 361,995
Fuji Optical continues to bring clear vision to
© Fuji Optical
55,763 299,963 3,322 359,048
China displaced communities
USA for UNHCR 291,730 30,000 17,500 339,230
Despite COVID-19, Fuji Optical continued to support refugees
Country-based pooled funds 300,000 300,000
and host communities in 2020, including via funding to UNHCR.
Japan for UNHCR 42,073 239,234 281,308 Although the annual Fuji Optical Vision Aid Mission had to be cancelled for
Bailiwick of Jersey 258,732 258,732 the first time in 38 years, 1,500 eyeglasses were delivered to refugees in
Private donors in Canada 21,536 207,991 229,527 Azerbaijan. Fuji Optical’s long-term commitment to refugees earned them a
UNAIDS 180,550 31,000 211,550 special award from the Japanese Government as a leading Japanese private
sector contributor to the achievement of the SDGs. Dr. Akio Kanai, CEO of
Czechia 204,750 204,750
Fuji Optical, optometrist and 2006 Nansen Award Winner, is determined to
United Arab Emirates 160,000 160,000 continue supporting even as he approaches the age of 80.

142 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 143
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I EUROPE REGIONAL SUMMARIES I EUROPE

REGIONAL SUMMARIES

Europe

“ I feel like we have been reborn. I want to build a new, dignified life.
—Samer, Syrian refugee
”

Syrian refugee Samer and his sons Mohammed and Ghaith pictured in Beirut,
Lebanon, in September ahead of their resettlement to Spain.
© UNHCR/Houssam Hariri

144 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 145
 REGIONAL
R E G I O N ASUMMARIES
L S U M M A R|IEUROPE
ES I EUROPE R E G I O NEUROPE
A L S U M| REGIONAL
M A R I E S ISUMMARIES
EUROPE

OVERVIEW AND KEY DATA IN EUROPE MAJOR SITUATIONS AND OPERATIONS IN 2020
IN 2020
UKRAINE
1,938 IDPs and conflict- 872 IDPs received cash grants, 12,496 IDPs and conflict-affected
affected individuals received while 618 IDPs received individuals received legal
assistance.
UKRAINE long-term, permanent shelter. in-kind support.

$19.4 million The population of concern to UNHCR remained stable. COVID-19-related travel restrictions led to a reduction
funds available in asylum applications, while closed entry-exit crossing points in eastern Ukraine resulted in increased needs
in non-government-controlled areas (NGCA). The July 2020 ceasefire reduced shelling, but low-intensity
65% funded 2,274
REFUGEES IN UKRAINE armed conflict continued. UNHCR continued the implementation of its 2018-2022 Multi-Year, Multi-Partner
(MYMP) Protection and Solutions Strategy, working with partners to deliver assistance on both sides of the
0 $29.8 million 2,366 contact line. The lack of access to social protection schemes exacerbated the socioeconomic impact of the
required ASYLUM-SEEKERS
pandemic on people of concern. UNHCR provided cash assistance to 1,572 extremely vulnerable households,
734,000 while phasing out large-scale cash assistance to IDPs. UNHCR also disengaged from shelter assistance in
IDPs FROM NGCA
government-controlled areas. The adoption of a new procedure allowed IDPs to vote in local elections for the
1.62 million first time, while a law establishing statelessness determination procedures was adopted following UNHCR’s
TURKEY CONFLICT AFFECTED PEOPLE
technical support. In 2020, 173 people with undetermined nationality were assisted with confirmation of
35,875
$125.8 million STATELESS PERSONS nationality while 2,438 refugees and asylum-seekers received legal assistance.
funds available
UKRAINE
AZERBAIJAN
34% funded MEDITERRANEAN ROUTES
21,758 applicants provided with In Greece, 87,471 asylum-seekers 9,000 asylum-seekers
0 $364.8 million L1 information on refugee status and beneficiaries of international received legal assistance.
required L1 determination procedures in protection received cash support
ITALY ARMENIA Cyprus, Greece and Spain. through the ESTIA programme.

Europe received 40% fewer arrivals via Mediterranean routes in 2020 as compared to 2019, with sharp
decreases in Greece, mainland Spain and Malta. However, arrivals tripled in Italy and increased almost
TURKEY
72,778 * eightfold in the Canary Islands. The number of people reported dead or missing at sea rose by 5%.
ARRIVALS
SPAIN In Cyprus, UNHCR supported the improvement of reception conditions, providing tents, beds, blankets and
L1 GREECE: 15,696
sanitary materials. Efforts to enhance the identification of vulnerable asylum-seekers continued, while initial
SPAIN: 18,838 *
CYPRUS
GREECE ITALY: 34,154 steps were taken to develop best interests determination procedures for children. In Greece, arrivals
MALTA: 2,281 decreased by 79%. UNHCR supported COVID-19 screening, isolation and quarantine facilities, improved
MEDITERRANEAN ROUTES CYPRUS: 1,809 water and hygiene conditions on the Aegean islands, and facilitated the relocation of the most vulnerable
MALTA
$392.3 million IDP initiative country 40% asylum-seekers to alternative accommodation. In Greece, 2,209 individuals including 1,534 children,
funds available DECREASE FROM 2019 574 unaccompanied, were relocated to several European countries.
82% funded Mediterranean and 18% In Italy, UNHCR worked towards disengagement from direct involvement in refugee status determination,
Atlantic routes: main countries of arrival CHILDREN while enhancing its monitoring and supervisory role. UNHCR monitored reception conditions, conducted
0 $479.3 million
L1 Level of emergency 8% outreach in formal and informal settlements, and continued to support resettlement and humanitarian
required
WOMEN corridors. In Malta, UNHCR supported asylum authorities to ensure access to territory and asylum procedures,
*Excluding Canary Island while monitoring reception conditions to identify and respond to the specific needs of people of concern.
arrivals in Spain. COVID-19 prevention and response efforts were also supported.
REGIONAL FUNDING OVERVIEW
PEOPLE OF CONCERN AND EARMARKING In Spain, UNHCR increased its operational capacity in the Canary Islands to support authorities with reception
of new arrivals. UNHCR worked with national partners to strengthen the identification of protection needs
12 million people of concern in 2020 $540 million funds available in 2020 among individuals within mixed flows. Refugee volunteers, hotlines and improved connectivity in reception
$831.7 million centres strengthened two-way communication and engagement with people of concern.
0 13% of the global population of concern 91.9 million 0 65% funded required

TURKEY *
People of concern | 2015-2020 Monthly evolution of funding | 2020
52,730 people of concern were 5,301 people received legal 4,048 individuals were assisted
Refugees Asylum-seekers IDPs Unearmarked Softly earmarked Earmarked Tightly earmarked assessed for specific needs. assistance. to depart Turkey through
Stateless persons Returnees (refugees and IDPs) Others of concern resettlement.

15 600 In 2020, Turkey continued to host the world’s largest refugee population. The Government of Turkey took
important steps to include people of concern in its COVID-19 health response. To address the challenges
32% 500 resulting from COVID-19 related restrictions, UNHCR and its partners increased the use of online and mobile
12
14% 3.6 million technology to maintain services and strengthen communication with communities.
SYRIANS UNDER TEMPORARY
4% 400 PROTECTION STATUS IN TURKEY The economic impact of the pandemic acutely affected refugees, many of whom work in the informal sector.
9 55%
USD Millions

17%
322,188 70% of those surveyed reported losing all or part of their income. UNHCR’s one-time cash assistance helped
Million

9% 300 INTERNATIONAL nearly 80,000 of the most vulnerable households to cope with lockdowns and preserve economic assets.
PROTECTION APPLICANTS
6 UNHCR also continued its cash for protection assistance, benefiting 4,300 households. A total of
200
25% 98% 383,118 people with specific needs received cash assistance.
OF REFUGEES LIVE AMONG
3 56% THE HOST COMMUNITY WHILE The pandemic had a debilitating impact on resettlement, reducing departures to a quarter of the number
100 5% planned. There were no significant developments allowing for large-scale voluntary returns to the
15% 2% Syrian Arab Republic.
STAY IN TEMPORARY
0 0 ACCOMMODATION CENTRES
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec *More details on UNHCR's response to the needs of Syrian refugees in Turkey are included in the chapter on the Middle East
and North Africa.

PN
146 UNHCR
UNHCR GLOBAL
G LO B REPORT
A L R E P 2020
O R T 2 02 0 UNHCR
UNHCR G LO BGLOBAL
A L R E PREPORT 2020
O R T 2 02 PN
0 147
REGIONAL
R E G I O N ASUMMARIES
L S U M M A R|IEUROPE
ES I EUROPE R E G I O NEUROPE
A L S U M| REGIONAL
M A R I E S ISUMMARIES
EUROPE

KEY RESULTS AND TRENDS IN 2020

UNHCR’S PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSE TRENDS IN RESPONSE
Cash assistance by sector | 2015-2020
CHILD PROTECTION Evolution compared to 2019
LEGAL AID Evolution compared to 2019
Basic needs Seasonal grants Life-saving support Solutions
16,700 (18%) arrivals to Europe -43 % 64,747 people of concern received -34%
(Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta and -100% 0 +100% legal assistance. -100% 0 +100%
2020 $142.3
Spain) were children.
2019 $133.1
10,000 child arrivals to Europe +18%
(Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta 2018 $104.1
and Spain) were unaccompanied or
-100% 0 +100% CASH ASSISTANCE
separated children. +7% 2017
$142.3 million distributed in cash $74.1
1,534 children were relocated from assistance. -100% 0 +100%

+129% 2016 $33.8

Greece to other European countries, of
-100% 0 +100% 520,383 people of concern received
whom 574 were unaccompanied. cash assistance. -100% 0 +100%
2015 $11.5

0 50 100 150
RESETTLEMENT USD millions
-36%
55% (21,737) of global resettlement RECEPTION CONDITIONS
submissions were made to countries in -100% 0 +100%

Europe. 130,622 people of concern across +12% Access to information on status determination Resettlement departures to Europe |
-62% Europe benefited from improved procedures | 2015-2020 2015-2020
11,150 individuals were resettled reception conditions.
-100% 0 +100%
-100% 0 +100%
(departed) to European countries.
Individuals Individuals
+9% 35,000
50% of global resettlement departures 800,000 779,672
were to countries in Europe. -100% 0 +100% 30,000 27,450 29,027
ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON STATUS 600,000 25,000
52% of resettlement submissions to DETERMINATION PROCEDURES 26,081
Europe included children. -100% 0 +100% 20,000
400,000 18,175
66,194 people of concern provided with -46% 287,604 15,000
information on status determination
COMMUNITY-BASED PROTECTION procedures.
-100% 0 +100%
200,000 123,441 10,000 11,175 11,150
64,519 66,194
21,405 5,000
80 refugee-led and community-based +60%
0
organizations supported. 0
-100% 0 +100% 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

UNHCR’S COVID-19 RESPONSE

381,152 refugees, IDPs and other 510,876 refugees, IDPs and other 84% of countries had gender-based 36,955 refugees and other people 1,205,113 medical masks (surgical 43 country operations reported all
people of concern accessed people of concern received cash violence services maintained or of concern provided with mental and N95/FFP2) procured. geographic areas inhabited by people
protection services*. assistance related to the impact of expanded in response to COVID-19. health and psychosocial support of concern were reached by COVID-19
COVID-19**. services. information campaigns.

*Beneficiaries of protection services related to the impact of COVID-19 may also have accessed specialized protection services, such as mental health and **Beneficiaries of cash assistance related to the impact of COVID-19 may also have received cash assistance within the context of UNHCR’s regular cash
psychosocial support services, or UNHCR’s regular protection services and therefore should not be considered as additional beneficiaries. assistance programmes and therefore should not be considered as additional beneficiaries.

PN
148 UNHCR
UNHCR GLOBAL
G LO B REPORT
A L R E P 2020
O R T 2 02 0 U N H C RUNHCR
G LO BGLOBAL
A L R E PREPORT 2020
O R T 2 02 PN
0 149
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I EUROPE REGIONAL SUMMARIES I EUROPE

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACT integration and accommodation”

programme (ESTIA) made progress with
refugees, stateless, migrants and
host communities were reached by
86% of apartments transferred to the information campaigns about COVID-19
Government by the end of 2020. risk prevention. In Turkey, more than
Safeguarding access to protection asylum applications in South-East Europe, Following a fire at the Moria reception 11,200 people of concern received
and asylum compared to 12,000 in 2019. UNHCR centre on Lesvos, UNHCR supported information via WhatsApp. In Italy, the
took initial steps towards developing a emergency assistance and shelter, information portal JUMA Refugees Map
When European countries began for 12,000 of those affected. Services and its COVID-19 information
Quality Initiative to address structural
imposing restrictions to slow the spread
challenges and in support of the pages recorded more than 130,000 visits
of COVID-19, adjustments were made In Georgia, following several months of
development of fair and efficient asylum in 2020. WhatsApp and Viber groups
to asylum systems and procedures to hardship resulting from the closure of
systems in the region. served as two-way communication
mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the administrative boundary line, linked
channels with communities in Georgia,
access to territory. UNHCR compiled and UNHCR continued its support to States to COVID-19 prevention measures,
Malta, Moldova and Montenegro.
offered States across the continent a set in Europe receiving the highest number joint efforts facilitated access of some
In Ukraine, a Telegram channel shared
of practical considerations and concrete of arrivals. In the Canary Islands, 2,300 pensioners from Gali to pensions
daily COVID-19 updates with refugee
advice to enable an effective response UNHCR increased its presence, assisting and essential medicines by way of a
communities in six different languages.
to the pandemic, while respecting authorities in identifying people with humanitarian corridor across the
Child-friendly information was developed
international refugee law and standards. international protection needs within Enguri bridge.
in Bosnia and Herzegovina and
Between the onset of the pandemic and mixed movements. In Cyprus, Greece, COVID-19 restrictions disproportionately Switzerland. UNHCR issued a paper—
the end of the year, the share of countries Italy, Malta and Spain, UNHCR helped affected education for refugee children “UNHCR, Risk Communication and
ensuring access to territory for people in to improve living conditions in reception and youth. Across Europe, UNHCR Community Engagement: Positive
need of international protection, either facilities, benefiting 130,622 people supported distance learning and Practices from Europe during COVID”
by law or in practice, rose significantly. of concern. facilitated access to electronic devices, —outlining positive practices on risk
Overall, 66,194 people of concern were
connectivity and study space. In the communication and community
provided with information on access to Ensuring an effective operational
and quality of status determination Russian Federation, for example, UNHCR engagement in Europe during COVID-19.
response worked with private sector partners to
procedures while 64,747 people of COVID-19 also prompted a scale-up of
concern received legal assistance. Throughout the pandemic, UNHCR supply 130 mobile phones to children in
mental health and psychosocial support,
advocated for the inclusion of people asylum centres to allow them to follow
In September 2020, the European as well as strengthened efforts to prevent
of concern in national health responses, lessons online.
Commission proposed the new EU Pact and respond to gender-based violence,
vaccination campaigns and social At the end of 2020, operational given the reports suggesting a higher
on Migration and Asylum, which UNHCR
protection schemes. It worked closely engagement in Armenia and Azerbaijan, prevalence of gender-based violence
welcomed as an opportunity to forge
with partners and civil society to support in support of government responses to incidents caused by confinement
common ground on asylum in Europe.
people of concern, identifying their the humanitarian needs of displaced measures. In Serbia, psychosocial support
To support the negotiations and help find
needs and employing innovative methods people, were scaled up in response to and language classes were offered via
workable solutions, UNHCR issued some
to provide information, protection renewed conflict with non-food items Zoom, while a gender-based violence
practical considerations on fair and fast
and assistance. Cash assistance was distributed to thousands of individuals hotline with translation services was
border procedures and solidarity in the
expanded, targeting 520,383 vulnerable through national partners in both supported in Malta. A training module was
European Union, while undertaking
refugees and asylum-seekers1. countries. also developed for social workers working
related advocacy with EU institutions
and Member States, including on the In Greece, UNHCR worked with the with unaccompanied children in Italy.
development of predictable search Government to quickly move Community-based protection
Displaced communities themselves were
and rescue mechanisms. 2,180 immuno-compromised individuals COVID-19 resulted in increased often at the forefront of the response
In some countries, COVID-19 related from overcrowded reception centres on information needs among people of with refugees and other people of
measures compounded existing the islands to safer accommodation. concern, leading UNHCR and its partners concern contributing their time and skills.
challenges in asylum systems, particularly Despite the pandemic, UNHCR’s planned to expand communication and community In France, refugees initiated online social
in regions experiencing mixed population handover of the “Emergency support to engagement through various channels activities to combat isolation, while in
movements. Despite UNHCR’s efforts, 1)
Total number of beneficiaries of cash assistance, including cash assistance related including new SMS, social media and Ukraine, IDPs conducted psychosocial
to the impact of COVID-19 as well as beneficiaries of UNHCR’s regular cash
in 2020 just 4,600 individuals submitted assistance programmes. online platforms. In 43 countries IDPs, support and art therapy classes for

150 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 151
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I EUROPE REGIONAL SUMMARIES I EUROPE

adolescents online. Across the region, The pandemic significantly reduced process, was carried out under the Implementing pledges made at the
80 refugee-led and community-based resettlement to the European Union in “quality protection partnership”, Global Refugee Forum
organizations were supported—up from 2020, with only 11,150 departures a joint initiative of the Government
Despite the pandemic, implementation of
50 in 2019, including a child-led network recorded against the 29,500 admissions and UNHCR.
Global Refugee Forum pledges advanced,
in Bulgaria. pledged. Nonetheless, certain member
Important steps were also taken by with 13% of some 350 pledges made by
States adopted new ways of working to
Seven European countries called for Croatia, the Czech Republic and Denmark European entities fulfilled by the end of
resume resettlement in the second half of
foreign-born doctors and nurses to help to implement initiatives focused on 2020, and 66% in progress. The rate of
the year. 52% of resettlement submissions
with the national response, and many improving data and information available implementation of pledges made by
to Europe included children.
refugees came forward. UNHCR worked on statelessness, with dedicated mapping government entities reached 18%, with a
closely with the Council of Europe and Following the European Commission’s studies and legal analyses subsequently total of 43 commitments fulfilled by the
national recognition boards to identify call on EU member States to help published. end of 2020.
refugee health workers and have their relocate unaccompanied children living
qualifications assessed through the in precarious conditions on the Greek
European Qualifications Passport for islands, 16 countries pledged 1,587 places
Refugees initiative. This process resulted in for unaccompanied children and Unilever supports COVID-19 response

© UNHCR/Lucas Novaes
refugees with health sector qualifications 3,288 places for other vulnerable with hygiene promotion activities
being recruited into positions matching persons. By December, UNHCR, with In 2020, Unilever committed to one of the
their qualifications, while also facilitating the Greek Government, the European largest in-kind donations ever received by
access to higher education. UNHCR, providing hand sanitizer, detergent and over
Asylum Support Office, IOM and UNICEF,
30 million bars of soap to help protect refugees from the
relocated 574 unaccompanied children spread of coronavirus. In addition, UK for UNHCR joined
Seeking durable solutions for and 1,636 vulnerable individuals. the Hygiene and Behaviour Change Coalition (HBCC),
refugees and IDPs Relocation following search and rescue created by Unilever and the United Kingdom’s Foreign,
Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to respond
In November, the European Commission operations also led to 860 places being to COVID-19. As a result of HBCC funding, UNHCR was
released its Action Plan on Integration pledged and 241 transfers from Cyprus, able to reach over 20 million refugees and host community
Italy and Malta. members through increased hygiene promotion in
and Inclusion 2021-2027, an important
Bangladesh, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo
opportunity for systematic engagement and South Sudan.
of refugees in meaningful integration and Reducing and preventing
innovative housing solutions in Europe, statelessness
with stronger access to decent work, Of the 40 pledges made by European
health services and education. In support, States at the High-Level Segment on
UNHCR shared its recommendations Statelessness in October 2019, six were
during the broad-based public
consultations, which included refugees
fulfilled by the end of 2020. Notably, FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Malta and North Macedonia acceded to
and migrants. the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness
In 2020, the budget for UNHCR’s available resources to implement the
Working with partners in Ukraine, UNHCR Conventions as pledged.
activities in Europe amounted to activities identified as the most critical,
facilitated long-term housing solutions
Albania reformed its nationality law, $831.7 million, of which UNHCR received which impacted UNHCR’s ability, in some
for 1,938 IDPs and conflict-affected
providing for an unrestricted safeguard to 65%, with some 55% of funding tightly countries, to carry out its regular
individuals, while a new compensation
grant Albanian citizenship to all children earmarked to country operations. programmes.
scheme for housing destroyed by the
born in Albania who would otherwise be
armed conflict facilitated UNHCR’s Given the scale of the pandemic, Nevertheless, and while programmes
stateless. In Ukraine, following UNHCR
disengagement from shelter assistance additional funds were needed in 2020 to backed by earmarked funding continued,
advocacy efforts, a law establishing a
in government-controlled areas. In urgently support COVID-19 preparedness UNHCR continued to rely on flexible
statelessness determination procedure
south-eastern Europe, the Regional and response activities and meet the funding to respond effectively to
was adopted.
Housing Programme continued with unforeseen additional needs of some emerging and protracted needs in the
UNHCR’s support, providing housing to In the United Kingdom, an in-depth public 12 million refugees, asylum-seekers, region. Flexible funding proved critical for
over 1,522 vulnerable households, with review of the Home Office’s statelessness IDPs and stateless persons hosted in implementation of UNHCR’s regular
a total of 7,805 households assisted determination procedures, aiming to Europe. Regional and country offices programmes.
since its inception. improve the quality of the decision-making demonstrated flexibility and reallocated

152 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 153
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I EUROPE REGIONAL SUMMARIES I EUROPE

BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE IN EUROPE | USD BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE IN EUROPE | USD
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4 PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4

% OF % OF Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP % OF % OF

Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP OPERATION TOTAL REGIONAL EXP VS
OPERATION TOTAL REGIONAL EXP VS programme programme projects projects
programme programme projects projects TOTAL BUDGET TOTAL BUDGET

Budget 14,007,964 - - - 14,007,964 2% SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

Regional Bureau for Europe1 Albania Budget 3,150,356 185,976 - - 3,336,332 0%
Expenditure 14,006,871 - - - 14,006,871 3% 100%
Expenditure 2,127,827 114,224 - - 2,242,051 0% 67%
Budget 7,236,328 230,000 - - 7,466,328 1%
Regional activities for Europe1 Bosnia and Herzegovina Budget 9,825,113 614,112 - - 10,439,225 1%
Expenditure 397,916 - - - 397,916 0% 5%
Expenditure 5,906,134 391,896 - - 6,298,030 1% 60%
Budget 4,518,394 72,392 - - 4,590,785 1%
Other operations in Europe 1 Kosovo (S/RES/1244 (1999)) Budget 2,978,306 779,388 - - 3,757,695 0%
Expenditure 3,659,392 61,400 - - 3,720,792 1% 81% Expenditure 2,156,279 529,610 - - 2,685,889 1% 71%
SUBTOTAL Budget 25,762,686 302,392 - - 26,065,078 3% Montenegro Budget 2,392,274 249,866 - - 2,642,140 0%
Expenditure 18,064,179 61,400 - - 18,125,579 4% 70% Expenditure 1,847,580 193,106 - - 2,040,686 0% 77%
North Macedonia Budget 4,351,503 321,248 - - 4,672,751 1%
EASTERN EUROPE Expenditure 2,531,437 226,914 - - 2,758,351 1% 59%
Armenia Budget 3,905,621 123,443 - - 4,029,064 0% Serbia Budget 7,472,092 2,447,118 - - 9,919,210 1%
Expenditure 3,810,883 83,177 - - 3,894,060 1% 97% Expenditure 5,478,303 1,697,414 - - 7,175,718 1% 72%
Azerbaijan Budget 3,029,981 95,715 - 2,339,620 5,465,316 1%
SUBTOTAL Budget 30,169,644 4,597,709 - - 34,767,353 4%
Expenditure 2,323,520 73,489 - 2,337,766 4,734,775 1% 87%
Expenditure 20,047,561 3,153,163 - - 23,200,724 5% 67%
Belarus Budget 1,865,000 75,000 - - 1,940,000 0%
Expenditure 1,184,892 37,323 - - 1,222,215 0% 63% TOTAL Budget 793,298,456 9,845,970 236,860 28,287,818 831,669,105 100%
Georgia Budget 3,106,713 371,413 - 2,611,250 6,089,375 1% Expenditure 484,245,015 6,865,790 209,672 17,800,586 509,121,063 100% 61%
Expenditure 2,068,046 183,942 - 2,099,743 4,351,731 1% 71% 1)
Regional Bureau, regional activities and other operations in Europe cover the whole Europe region.
Russian Federation Budget 5,604,287 830,333 - - 6,434,620 1% 2)
Coordinates activities in Belgium, Ireland, Malta (EASO), the Netherlands, Poland (FRONTEX) and also covers Luxembourg without a presence in this country.
3)
Coordinates activities in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and also covers without a presence the Republic of Moldova, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Expenditure 3,479,280 698,615 - - 4,177,894 1% 65% 4)
EXPENDITURE IN EUROPE | 2016-2020
Coordinates activities in Italy and also covers without a presence the Holy See and San Marino.
Turkey Budget 364,777,805 5,000 - - 364,782,805 44% 5)
Coordinates activities in Spain and also covers without a presence Andorra and Portugal.
6)
Coordinates activities in Denmark, Lithuania and Sweden and also covers without a presence Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia and Norway.
Expenditure 105,409,451 - - - 105,409,451 21% 29%
Ukraine Budget 5,505,891 908,838 - 23,336,948 29,751,676 4%
Expenditure 4,244,377 643,189 - 13,363,077 18,250,643 4% 61%

SUBTOTAL Budget 387,795,298 2,409,742 - 28,287,818 418,492,857 50% EXPENDITURE IN EUROPE | 2016-2020
600
Expenditure 122,520,448 1,719,734 - 17,800,586 142,040,768 28% 34%
$496 $485 $497 $509
NORTHERN, WESTERN, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN EUROPE 500

USD million
$449
Belgium Multi-Country Office2 Budget 12,103,644 391,983 - - 12,495,627 2%
Expenditure 9,611,958 131,036 - - 9,742,994 2% 78% 400
Cyprus Budget 3,009,804 4,000 - - 3,013,804 0%
Expenditure 1,924,033 - - - 1,924,033 0% 64% 300
Pillar 1
France Budget 3,560,234 226,991 - - 3,787,225 0% Pillar 2
200
Expenditure 2,822,259 184,338 - - 3,006,597 1% 79% Pillar 3
Germany Budget 2,259,695 38,265 - - 2,297,959 0% Pillar 4
100
Expenditure 2,239,907 15,790 - - 2,255,696 0% 98%
Greece Budget 284,240,953 114,668 - - 284,355,621 34%
0
Expenditure 272,499,362 24,232 - - 272,523,594 54% 96% 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Hungary Regional Office3 Budget 12,211,004 470,247 236,860 - 12,918,111 2%
Expenditure 10,289,746 418,943 209,672 - 10,918,361 2% 85%
Italy Multi-Country Office4 Budget 18,000,460 189,316 - - 18,189,776 2% EXPENDITURE
EXPENDITURE VIA PARTNERS
VIA PARTNERS | 2020 | 2020
Expenditure 13,207,272 174,805 - - 13,382,078 3% 74%
Malta Budget 1,314,082 5,000 - - 1,319,082 0%
Expenditure 986,979 - - - 986,979 0% 75%
$161.7 million spent via 184 partners in Europe
Spain Multi-Country Office5 Budget 5,497,881 42,657 - - 5,540,538 1%
Expenditure 4,464,122 42,541 - - 4,506,662 1% 81% 24 Government 137 National NGO partners,
Sweden Multi-Country Office6 Budget 4,678,745 650,000 - - 5,328,745 1% partners, $26.3M $115.6M
Expenditure 3,414,280 580,944 - - 3,995,224 1% 75%
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Budget 2,694,326 403,002 - - 3,097,328 0%
Northern Ireland Expenditure 2,152,910 358,863 - - 2,511,773 0% 81%
19 International NGO partners,
SUBTOTAL Budget 349,570,828 2,536,128 236,860 - 352,343,817 42%
$19.4M
Expenditure 323,612,827 1,931,493 209,672 - 325,753,992 64% 92%

154 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 155
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I EUROPE REGIONAL SUMMARIES I EUROPE

VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO EUROPE | USD VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO EUROPE | USD

PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 4 PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 4
Refugee Stateless IDP Refugee Stateless IDP
DONOR ALL PILLARS TOTAL DONOR ALL PILLARS TOTAL
programme programme projects programme programme projects

European Union 299,518,334 1,793,408 301,311,741 Malta 55,006 55,006

United States of America 66,207,000 49,300,000 115,507,000 Slovakia 54,289 54,289
Germany 18,405,840 565,671 18,971,511 Central Emergency Response Fund 52,105 52,105
Italy 4,842,970 4,842,970 Private donors in Serbia 45,029 45,029
UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe (National partner in Germany) 2,826,119 361,089 3,187,208 Slovenia 33,113 33,113
France 2,912,020 182,456 3,094,476 Denmark 31,950 31,950
Austria 1,602,977 787,802 2,390,779 Private donors in Canada 438 30,712 31,150
Education Cannot Wait 2,166,695 2,166,695 UNAIDS 30,000 30,000
Japan 1,368,465 272,727 1,641,192 United Nations Albania SDG Acceleration Fund 23,399 23,399
Spain 949,916 356,751 1,306,667 Private donors in Belgium 176 22,236 22,412
Norway 142,204 917,608 1,059,812 Luxembourg 10,044 10,044
Czechia 1,044,383 1,044,383 Private donors in Denmark 9,037 9,037
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 852,940 7,188 166,011 1,026,139 Azerbaijan 7,208 7,208
Republic of Korea 1,000,000 1,000,000 Private donors in Austria 33 4,743 4,777
USA for UNHCR 325,000 640,400 965,400 UK for UNHCR 255 2,353 2,608
Switzerland 874,113 874,113 Private donors in Kuwait 2,427 2,427
Sweden for UNHCR 125,000 506,872 631,872 Private donors in Singapore 1,542 466 2,008
European Economic Area 608,767 608,767 Private donors in Mexico 1,701 1,701
Russian Federation 300,000 250,000 550,000 Private donors in Brazil 1,552 1,552
España con ACNUR (National partner in Spain) 94,339 398,926 493,264 Private donors in China 289 289
Canada 436,364 436,364 Private donors in Lebanon 37 37
Sweden 414,938 414,938
TOTAL* 406,374,188 331,950 2,597,488 58,172,819 467,476,444
Private donors in France 277,584 60,766 338,350
*
Notes:
IOM 302,583 302,583 1)
Contributions include 6.5% indirect support costs.
2)
Includes a total of $0.1 million acknowledged in past years for activities with implementation in 2020 and excludes $1.0 million acknowledged in 2020 for activities with implementation in 2021 and beyond. 3) Includes
Ireland 263,857 263,857 contributions earmarked to the Mediterranean Routes situation.
Hungary 261,839 261,839
Private donors in the Netherlands 41,491 193,572 235,063
Estonia 218,341 218,341
Private donors in the United States of America 15,000 200,000 215,000
UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund 175,044 175,044
Private donors in Switzerland 151,412 151,412
Iceland 145,338 145,338
Switzerland for UNHCR 16,322 119,685 136,007
Private donors in Liechtenstein 134,656 134,656
Private donors in Italy 51,563 64,839 116,402
Liechtenstein 55,188 55,188 110,375
Romania 106,794 106,794
Montenegro 102,058 102,058
Armenia 98,000 98,000
Private donors in Japan 42,063 55,825 97,888
Serbia 94,202 94,202
Poland 87,000 87,000
United Nations Joint SDG Fund 81,067 81,067
Cyprus 59,737 59,737

156 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 157
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

REGIONAL SUMMARIES

The
Middle East
and
North Africa

“ It was an experience like hell. We were calling for help,

nobody answered.
”
—Emmanuelle, Nigerian asylum-seeker

Nigerian asylum-seeker Emmanuelle and her five-year-old son are hosted in

temporary accommodation in Sfax on the east coast of Tunisia.
© UNHCR/Peter Horton

158 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 159
 REGIONAL SUMMARIES I MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

OVERVIEW AND KEY DATA IN THE MIDDLE EAST MAJOR SITUATIONS AND OPERATIONS IN 2020
AND NORTH AFRICA IN 2020 SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC (SYRIA) *
$246 million in cash assistance for 1.4 million Syrian refugees and 288,780 Syrian individuals
1.5 million Syrian refugees and IDPs reached with core relief received emergency shelter.
winterization support for 761,089 items.
people.
SYRIA
The Syria crisis entered in its tenth year, remaining the largest displacement situation in the world. Over 6.7 million
$937 million IRAQ Syrians were still internally displaced, and 5.5 million were refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.
funds available
$168.3 million 5.5 million A joint UNHCR-World Bank study in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq found that the socioeconomic impact
47% funded funds available REFUGEES IN
of COVID-19 drove 4.4 million people in host communities and 1.1 million refugees or IDPs into poverty.
NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES
37% funded A range of factors including COVID-19 hampered returns, with some 38,600 Syrian refugees returning in 2020,
0 $1.990 billion
6.7 million a 60% decrease from 2019. Resettlement departures also fell by 60%, to 9,230. Within Syria, worsening economic
SYRIAN ARAB IDPs
required conditions and food insecurity increased the number of people in need. Movement restrictions, some related
REPUBLIC 0 $460.7 million
required
38,600 to COVID-19, hindered humanitarian access. UNHCR and UNDP continued to co-lead the Regional Refugee
REFUGEE RETURNEES
IRAQ and Resilience Plan (3RP) in response to the Syria crisis, coordinating the work of over 270 partners.
448,000
L2 IDP RETURNEES ** *More details on UNHCR's response to the needs of Syrian refugees in Turkey are included in the Europe chapter. **According to OCHA.

IRAQ
LIBYA
$28.3 million in cash assistance 120,635 Iraqi IDPs and 31,750 individuals received
for 365,446 IDPs and 252,136 refugees reached with core emergency shelter.
people assisted for winterization. relief items.
The situation in Iraq continued to be unstable, with the country facing political and security challenges.
There were over 1.2 million IDPs. More than 278,000 IDP returnees continued to face protection risks and
constrained access to basic services and livelihood opportunities. The health and socioeconomic impacts
YEMEN 241,200 of COVID-19 compounded an existing economic crisis and exacerbated protection risks.
REFUGEES AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS
IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES
UNHCR and partners delivered protection and assistance programmes adapted for COVID-19. Following
1.2 million the Government of Iraq’s closure or reclassification of 15 IDP camps and informal sites in late 2020, UNHCR
IDPs
increased its support to affected IDPs.
278,100 *** In neighbouring countries, over 240,000 refugees and asylum-seekers were registered with UNHCR, while
IDP RETURNEES
31,000 Iraqis without registration continued to live in camps in Al-Hassakeh Governorate in north-east Syria.
YEMEN 47,300 ***Number of IDP returnees in 2020.
STATELESS PERSONS
$122.8 million
Situation funds available YEMEN
IDP initiative country 70% funded $52.6 million in cash assistance 437,900 displaced Yemenis 127,200 displaced Yemenis
for 1,140,383 IDPs and refugees. reached with core relief items. received emergency shelter.
L2 Level of emergency 0 $176.3 million
required Yemen remained the worst humanitarian crisis globally, with 66% of the population requiring humanitarian assistance,
12.1 million of them in acute need. Famine and severe malnutrition remained a threat for 5 million Yemenis, with food
insecurity affecting 16.2 million people. Protracted hostilities, a continued blockade by coalition forces, a drastic
reduction in remittances and a long-running fuel crisis pushed Yemenis deeper into poverty. Some 1 million IDPs
167,000 resided in 1,600 IDP hosting sites, nearly half in close proximity to conflict areas. With no significant progress towards
REGIONAL FUNDING OVERVIEW REFUGEES IN YEMEN
PEOPLE OF CONCERN AND EARMARKING
a peace agreement, escalating hostilities and emerging frontlines displaced over 172,000 individuals. COVID-19
10,700 further impacted the already devasted economy and infrastructure, stretching the limited public resources and
15.8 million people of concern in 2020 $1.430 billion funds available in 2020 ASYLUM-SEEKERS
straining the health system with a new layer of vulnerability. Yemen hosted 177,700 refugees and asylum-seekers,
$2.813 billion 4 million mostly from the Horn of Africa. UNHCR provided protection services including mental health and psychosocial
0 17% of the global population of concern 91.9 million 0 51% funded required IDPs
support, registration and counselling for voluntary returns. 33,700 displaced Yemenis and 3,450 refugees benefited
10,800 from legal assistance while 7,300 refugee children were enrolled in primary education. UNHCR delivered $5.6 million
IDP RETURNEES
in cash assistance for winterization benefiting 187,714 IDPs.
People of concern | 2015-2020 Monthly evolution of funding | 2020
Refugees Asylum-seekers IDPs Unearmarked Softly earmarked Earmarked Tightly earmarked LIBYA
Stateless persons Returnees (refugees and IDPs) Others of concern
$5.2 million in cash assistance 65,850 individuals reached 29,500 people benefited from
20 1500 for 23,446 IDPs and refugees. with core relief items. 59 quick impact projects.

32% 3% 21% Libya’s socioeconomic environment deteriorated further amid its unpredictable security situation, but a ceasefire proposal
1200 and a provisional unity government brought progress. 105,400 IDPs returned to places of origin but 278,200 remained
15
2% displaced. A 58% increase in sea departures from Libya was observed compared to 2019. The pandemic threatened the
900 welfare of people of concern, affecting health, education and livelihoods. 9,100 primary health consultations were provided
USD Million

44,200 to people of concern, including 6,700 in the urban community, 1,900 in detention and 570 at disembarkation points.
Millions

10 REFUGEES AND
77% 65% ASYLUM-SEEKERS IN LIBYA UNHCR successfully advocated for the release of 389 people of concern in detention. In 2020, 13,050 individuals were
600
278,200 issued with UNHCR refugee and asylum-seeker certificates. UNHCR delivered medical equipment including ambulances
IDPs to support the COVID-19 response, enhanced its urban assistance package for refugees and asylum-seekers, providing
50
300 105,400 registration support, cash assistance, food parcels and hygiene kits. 15,880 people of concern received food assistance,
1% 10%
IDP RETURNEES 4,500 people of concern received emergency shelter while 21,000 people of concern received hygiene kits. The number
16%
0 0 5% 1,462 of asylum-seekers and refugees fell by 8% to 44,200, with 7,600 newly registered. UNHCR’s Emergency Transit Mechanism
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec PEOPLE IN DETENTION CENTRES
facilitated the evacuation of 490 asylum-seekers to Niger and Rwanda, while 321 refugees departed via resettlement.

160 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 161
REGIONAL
R E G I O N ASUMMARIES
L S U M M A R|ITHE
E S MIDDLE
I M I D DEAST
LE EAAND
S T NORTH
A N D NAFRICA
ORTH AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

KEY RESULTS AND TRENDS IN 2020

UNHCR’S PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSE TRENDS IN RESPONSE
Cash assistance by sector | 2015-2020
REGISTRATION Evolution compared to 2019
CORE RELIEF ITEMS Evolution compared to 2019
Basic needs Seasonal grants Life-saving support Solutions
2.2 million individual registration -19% 2,146,140 people of concern reached -2%
records in PRIMES proGres v4. -100% 0 +100%
with core relief items. 2020 $422.5
-100% 0 +100%
3.1 million individuals (5 years and +10% $67.9 million in core relief items -34%
above) with biometric records in PRIMES. 2019 $407.7
-100% 0 +100% distributed. -100% 0 +100%

2018 $381.9
CHILD PROTECTION EDUCATION
2017 $313.8
-1%
12,474 unaccompanied or separated +131%
429,256 children enrolled in primary
children had a best interests assessment -100% 0 +100% education. -100% 0 +100% 2016 $427.8
initiated or completed.
-45%
35,648 students enrolled in secondary 2015 $271.6
-100% 0 +100%
education.
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE +44% 0 100 200 300 400 500
4,988 people of concern received USD millions
tertiary education scholarships.
27,910 gender-based violence incidents +67%
-100% 0 +100%

reported for which survivors received

-100% 0 +100% Education enrolment | 2015-2020 Resettlement departures* | 2015-2020
psychosocial counselling.
+121% Individuals
1,749 gender-based violence survivors SELF-RELIANCE Primary Secondary Tertiary
-100% 0 +100% 70,000
received legal assistance. -65% Individuals
+29% 12% of refugees had their own business 60,000 59,821
2,436 gender-based violence survivors or were self-employed for more than -100% 0 +100% 1,000,000
received medical assistance. -100% 0 +100% 12 months. 50,000
429,256
100,000
40,000 36,123
CASH ASSISTANCE RESETTLEMENT 10,000
35,648
30,000 30,594
+4% -46% 26,523
27,407
$422.5 million distributed in cash -100% 0 +100%
22,566 resettlement submissions from -100% 0 +100% 4,988 20,000
assistance. the region. 1,000
10,000
+58% -59% 12,394
4,607,472 people of concern received 12,394 UNHCR-facilitated departures. 0
cash assistance. -100% 0 +100% -100% 0 +100% 100
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
*Resettlement figures include Syrian cases submitted from Turkey.

UNHCR’S COVID-19 RESPONSE

4,047,340 refugees, IDPs and other people 725,896 refugees and other people of 137,012 refugees and other people of 61,084 children and youth supported with
of concern accessed protection services. concern received essential health care services. concern provided with mental health and distance/home-based learning.
psychosocial support services.

4,158,255 refugees, IDPs and other people 45,153 women and girls accessed sexual and 109,755 refugee children and youth out of 6 country operations reported all geographic
of concern received cash assistance related to reproductive health services. school due to mandatory school closures. areas inhabited by people of concern were
the impact of COVID-19. reached by COVID-19 information campaigns.

162 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 163
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACT meet new objectives, including rapid,

emergency-related scale-up, to mitigate
concern across the world, accounting for
50% of the global resettlement
the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic, submissions, and requires a
supporting more than 1.4 million people corresponding size of staffing and
Safeguarding access to protection out completely. During 2020, who had been self-sufficient prior to the capacity to ensure resettlement delivery
and asylum 429,256 children were enrolled at primary pandemic. Winterization support, which and integrity of processes. Voluntary
level. Meanwhile, 35,648 were enrolled at remained critical in several operations, return remains the hope for many forcibly
As COVID-19 hit, UNHCR strengthened was available in the form of in-kind and displaced, and most IDPs and refugees
secondary level—nearly a 50% decrease
its efforts, its capacity and its advocacy from 2019. 4,988 youth received cash provision. remained in situ. Sustained support to
for people of concern to have safety, tertiary education scholarships—a 44% host countries and assistance
dignified living conditions, and solutions. The region accounted for a quarter of
increase from 2019. To support learners programmes enabled people to make free
This included enhancing communication UNHCR’s global procurement, with
and their families, UNHCR promoted and informed decisions regarding their
with communities and multisectoral $300 million spent locally. Large-scale
further alignment of digital learning present and future. UNHCR prioritized
services, and face-to-face and remote case distribution of emergency core relief
methodologies with livelihoods strategies. investments to protect livelihoods and
processing and management. UNHCR items continued in Libya, Syria and Yemen.
UNHCR kept its attention on integrity, advanced socioeconomic inclusion to
sought to develop its capacity to More than 50 million core relief items
anti-fraud and prevention of sexual mitigate the impact of the pandemic on
undertake age and gender approaches, were handled, averaging 137,000 per day.
exploitation and abuse. the living conditions of people of concern.
and to sensitively identify international Across the region, women, girls, and
protection needs in mixed movements, Responding with life-saving vulnerable people were at elevated risk Ensuring protection and durable
trafficking and smuggling. In registering assistance of gender-based violence, particularly solutions for IDPs
individuals, it enhanced identity intimate partner violence and domestic
management and data protection despite The pandemic exacerbated already Situations of internal displacement in the
violence during lockdowns. UNHCR
the need to work remotely. In 2020, precarious humanitarian situations in the Middle East and North Africa region
provided support to over 30,000 gender-
there were almost 2.2 million individual region. UNHCR stepped up to increase remained prominent and unfolded in
based violence survivors with psychosocial
registration records in PRIMES proGres v4, national health capacity, so that refugees contexts of multifaceted refugee crises
counselling, legal and medical assistance.
19% fewer than in 2019, while 3.1 million and other people of concern could be and human mobility. The region’s four
individuals were biometrically registered, supported through national systems. This major internal displacement situations,
Seeking durable solutions for
10% higher than in 2019. included setting up over 75 isolation and namely Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yemen,
protracted refugee situations
treatment centres, supporting them with accounted for around 12 million people
UNHCR advocated for non-refoulement, community health workers, and providing COVID-19 made face-to-face contact and displaced by violence within their
alternatives to detention, and consistent medical equipment and personal in-person case processing impossible in countries, with many experiencing
disembarkation procedures following protective equipment. Across the region many instances, so UNHCR developed multiple displacements. Syria remained
rescue at sea. It fostered understanding 5.2 million people of concern benefited effective remote methods to ensure the largest IDP crisis in the world, with
of options for inclusion of people of from community outreach services, while continuity of resettlement submissions, over 6.7 million internally displaced. The
concern in available public services, 2.6 million women and girls accessed while upholding integrity standards and four crises called for a vast humanitarian
national systems for practical enjoyment information on protection risks and protecting the health and safety of response which has become increasingly
of fundamental legal rights and services. refugees, staff and partners. As a result, interconnected with development
protection. UNHCR strove to tailor the 22,566 people were referred for interventions.
Almost all the countries in the region
use of digital communication and to build resettlement in 2020. Although this figure
included refugees, IDPs and other The four IDP responses reflected
communities’ protection capacity in ways marks a 46% decrease from 2019, all
marginalized groups in their national a focus on the centrality of protection,
that took into account age, gender and available resettlement places were filled,
public health systems for the COVID-19 evidence-based planning and
diversity characteristics as well as mental and all commitments were met during
response. In total, UNHCR reached over programming, area-centred and
health and physical needs. 137,012 people the year.
4.6 million people across the region, community-based approaches, and the
of concern received mental health and
disbursing $422.5 million in cash assistance, UNHCR significantly invested in importance of engaging individuals of all
psychosocial support services across
covering ongoing cash assistance complementary pathways in the region, ages, genders and diversity
the region.
programmes, cash for COVID-19 and establishing a regional contact group as characteristics. By applying a non-
The compelling situation of refugee winterization support. Emergency cash an incubator for opportunities and a discriminatory and participatory approach,
children and youth was characterized by assistance for the COVID-19 response was channel to share ideas. The Middle East UNHCR advocated for equal access to
challenges in accessing education, with integrated into 14 operations, extending and North Africa is the largest region of humanitarian assistance for all IDPs,
thousands remaining at risk of dropping existing regular cash programming to origin, transit and hosting of people of including persons with specific needs.

164 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 165
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

In Syria, 70% of those receiving enhance and rebuild civil registration and H.E. Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah

© UNHCR/Ayat El Dewary
livelihoods services through a network of vital statistics capacity in the region. In Bin Thani Al-Thani makes the
123 community centres were women and 2020, UNHCR worked with the League of largest individual contribution
girls. In Tunisia, children made up 41% of Arab States on statelessness and initiated In 2020, H.E. Sheikh Thani Bin
the people served in the centres, followed collaboration with the Organization of Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani, through the Sheikh
Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian
by people with diverse sexual orientation Islamic Cooperation, while strengthening Fund, contributed more than $43 million in support
and gender identity (11%), and persons global and regional partnerships. In the of refugees and displaced people in Bangladesh,
with disabilities (6%). In the Middle East 3RP context, interventions by UNHCR Chad , Lebanon, Pakistan and Yemen in the form
and North Africa, the humanitarian and partners reduced the percentage of of Zakat and Sadaqah funds through UNHCR.
This donation is the largest ever individual
response to IDPs included protection Syrian refugee children born in the region contribution to UNHCR. For the second year in
interventions through cash assistance, without any form of identity documents a row, the contribution of the leading Qatari
targeted visits, outreach volunteers, call (either a birth certificate or medical birth philanthropist will be aiding millions and
supporting UNHCR’s efforts to protect and shelter
centres, social media, community centres notification) from 35% in 2012 to 1% in
those forced to flee their homes.
and emergency food and shelter 2020. In the 3RP context, the following
assistance. There were sustained efforts activities have helped improve birth
and significant progress in offering mental registration: making birth and marriage
health and psychosocial support to IDPs. registration procedures more accessible;
strengthening legal aid and counselling; FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Reducing and preventing engaging with communities as agents of
statelessness change and ensuring access to quality
Consequences of underfunding unrestricted cash assistance to
maternal health services.
The Middle East and North Africa region approximately 800,000 individuals among
Across the region, chronic underfunding
is home to historical stateless the prioritized target population in Jordan,
Implementing pledges made at the affected all operations. With the COVID-19
Lebanon and Syria. Despite additional
populations. Conflict and displacement
Global Refugee Forum pandemic, humanitarian needs increased
funding for COVID-19 prevention and
created new risks of statelessness. In line
significantly for refugees and host
with the regional strategy on preventing Of the 58 pledges to the region, 16 were response, critical infrastructure had to be
communities as well as IDPs. UNHCR
and reducing statelessness, regional in progress, four have been fulfilled and deprioritized, and funding gaps became
received just 51% of the $2.8 billion
priorities were geared towards access two are in the planning stage. Examples more acute in refugee camps like Tindouf
required which meant critical life-saving
to birth registration and civil status of policy pledge implementation and in Algeria and Mbera camp in Mauritania.
and protection needs were unmet in
documentation, removal of gender progress include Mauritania’s pledge to The pandemic amplified protection and
2020. While some instances of
discrimination from nationality laws, enrol all refugees in its civil registry, issue financial challenges for urban refugees
underfunding were due to the new needs
accession to the Statelessness them with national identification numbers and asylum-seekers in countries with
resulting from COVID-19, many others
Conventions, and improving statelessness and include them in national systems and mixed movements such as Libya, Morocco
pre-date the pandemic.
data in selected countries. States labour markets. In December 2020, the and Tunisia, prompting people to resort to
undertook reforms to close gaps leading Mauritanian Minister of Interior signed a UNHCR was unable to meet the large harmful coping mechanisms and exposing
to statelessness and resolve existing legislative act to issue refugee cards to all needs in the region, which were the population of concern to higher risks
situations of statelessness. However, refugees in Mauritanian territory. compounded by currency devaluations in of exploitation and forced labour.
significant challenges remain. Issuance In Morocco, a pledge to contribute Lebanon and Syria, coupled with
Yemen remained one of the operations
of birth certificates and other civil $300,000 for protection was also fulfilled. economic pressure from the pandemic.
with the most tightly earmarked funding in
documentation to forcibly displaced In Qatar, the Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani With COVID-19, health care needs
the region, leading to considerable
populations not only provides essential Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund contributed increased substantially. Due to lack of
challenges in responding to the emerging
protection but is instrumental in the more than $43 million towards UNHCR’s funds, UNHCR provided secondary and
and increasing needs. Alongside lack of
prevention of statelessness. work in Bangladesh, Chad, Lebanon and tertiary medical care to a reduced number
funding, the limited opportunities for
Yemen, channelled through UNHCR’s of people of concern, including those in
Operations expanded efforts in recent durable solutions in host countries and
Refugee Zakat Fund and UNHCR’s need of specialized medical and mental
years to prevent and reduce statelessness fewer resettlement places globally further
Sadaqah initiative. health support and those living with
through progressive inclusion of stateless complicated the protection and
disabilities, especially in urban areas.
persons or those at risk of statelessness operational environment.
in UNHCR’s programming. There is At the end of December 2020, UNHCR
increased recognition of the need to could not provide support through

166 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 167
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

EXPENDITURE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA | 2016-2020

EXPENDITURE IN THE MIDDLE EAST BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA | USD
AND NORTH AFRICA | 2016-2020
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4

Refugee Stateless Reintegration IDP % OF % OF

OPERATION TOTAL REGIONAL EXP VS
programme programme projects projects TOTAL BUDGET
1,600
USD million
Regional Bureau for Middle East and Budget 17,115,454 - - - 17,115,454 1%
$1,353 North Africa1
1,400
$1,310
Expenditure 14,924,259 - - - 14,924,259 1% 87%
$1,255 $1,253
1,200
$1,216
Regional activities for Middle East and Budget 47,272,707 - - - 47,272,707 2%
North Africa1 Expenditure 6,967,051 - - - 6,967,051 1% 15%
1,000
SUBTOTAL Budget 64,388,161 - - - 64,388,161 2%
800
Pillar 1 Expenditure 21,891,310 - - - 21,891,310 2% 34%
600 Pillar 2
Pillar 3 MIDDLE EAST
400 Pillar 4 Other operations in the Middle East1 Budget - - - 56,696,326 56,696,326 2%
200 Expenditure - - - 56,695,360 56,695,360 4% 100%
Iraq Budget 194,778,460 934,307 - 327,931,050 523,643,818 19%
0 Expenditure 85,188,601 686,784 - 108,433,339 194,308,724 14% 37%
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Israel Budget 6,000,000 - - - 6,000,000 0%
Expenditure 3,879,391 - - - 3,879,391 0% 65%
Jordan Budget 426,737,449 - - - 426,737,449 15%
Expenditure 232,310,692 - - - 232,310,692 17% 54%
Lebanon Budget 606,507,824 1,008,633 - - 607,516,457 22%
EXPENDITURE VIA PARTNERS | 2020 Expenditure 331,440,600 761,448 - - 332,202,048 25% 55%
EXPENDITURE VIA PARTNERS | 2020 Saudi Arabia Multi-Country Office2 Budget 11,312,128 178,167 - - 11,490,294 0%
Expenditure 8,448,942 140,356 - - 8,589,298 1% 75%
Syrian Arab Republic Budget 47,914,035 198,640 317,833,049 209,640,215 575,585,939 20%
$388.3 million spent via 197 partners in
the Middle East and North Africa Expenditure 15,393,665 3,321 102,610,319 63,236,616 181,243,921 13% 31%
Yemen Budget 60,108,568 - - 191,642,304 251,750,873 9%
26 Goverment partners, 111 National NGO
$27.5M partners, $164.5M Expenditure 47,421,805 - - 111,550,287 158,972,092 12% 63%

SUBTOTAL Budget 1,353,358,464 2,319,747 317,833,049 785,909,896 2,459,421,156 87%

Expenditure 724,083,697 1,591,909 102,610,319 339,915,602 1,168,201,527 86% 47%
51 International NGO partners
$190.6M
9 UN agencies
$5.8M
NORTH AFRICA
Algeria Budget 34,936,503 - - - 34,936,503 1%
Expenditure 20,738,882 - - - 20,738,882 2% 59%
Egypt Budget 118,312,434 - - - 118,312,434 4%
Expenditure 49,466,411 - - - 49,466,411 4% 42%
Libya Budget 57,358,625 - - 26,740,333 84,098,958 3%
Expenditure 39,574,162 - - 15,458,571 55,032,733 4% 65%
Mauritania Budget 27,391,889 - - - 27,391,889 1%
Expenditure 19,186,526 - - - 19,186,526 1% 70%
The Big Heart Foundation provides relief
© UNHCR/ Mohammed Hure

Morocco Budget 8,500,000 - - - 8,500,000 0%

and sustainable support to refugee Expenditure 7,144,040 - - - 7,144,040 1% 84%
children and their families Tunisia Budget 12,316,319 - - - 12,316,319 0%
Since 2012, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Expenditure 9,211,815 - - - 9,211,815 1% 75%
Al Qasimi, UNHCR’s Eminent Advocate, has helped on a Western Sahara - Confidence building
Budget 4,000,000 - - - 4,000,000 0%
measures
personal level and through The Big Heart Foundation
1 million refugees and internally displaced people across Expenditure 2,014,313 - - - 2,014,313 0% 50%
the region and globally with donations totaling $26 million. SUBTOTAL Budget 262,815,769 - - 26,740,333 289,556,102 10%
In 2020, The Big Heart Foundation supported the rehabilitation Expenditure 147,336,149 - - 15,458,571 162,794,720 12% 56%
of a healthcare clinic and the establishment of a secondary
boarding school for girls in Kakuma camp, Kenya. In addition,
TOTAL Budget 1,680,562,394 2,319,747 317,833,049 812,650,228 2,813,365,419 100%
The Big Heart Foundation made invaluable contributions
towards three emergencies in 2020: COVID-19 response, Expenditure 893,311,155 1,591,909 102,610,319 355,374,173 1,352,887,557 100% 48%
the Beirut blast and the floods in Sudan. 1)
Regional Bureau, regional activities and other operations in the Middle East cover the whole Middle East and North Africa region.
2)
Includes activities in Kuwait and in the United Arab Emirates.

168 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 169
REGIONAL SUMMARIES I MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMARIES I MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA | USD VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA | USD
PILLAR 1 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4 PILLAR 1 PILLAR 3 PILLAR 4
Refugee Reintegration IDP Refugee Reintegration IDP
DONOR ALL PILLARS TOTAL DONOR ALL PILLARS TOTAL
programme projects projects programme projects projects

United States of America 343,364,314 21,625 277,560,000 620,945,939 Private donors in China 500,952 500,952
Germany 138,459,536 43,271,498 46,147,119 227,878,152 Private donors in Switzerland 493,434 493,434
European Union 86,575,092 2,931,520 6,256,982 95,763,593 Private donors in Singapore 12,000 362,877 374,877
Netherlands 34,222,852 4,177,475 955,500 39,355,827 United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security 338,775 338,775
Saudi Arabia 17,400,000 20,000,000 37,400,000 Private donors in France 325,376 325,376
Private donors in Qatar 5,000,100 29,000,290 1,500,000 35,500,390 United Nations Population Fund 280,476 280,476
Japan 2,752,190 909,091 8,522,634 19,826,836 32,010,750 IOM 224,000 224,000
Canada 31,064,318 31,064,318 Iceland 197,457 197,457
Central Emergency Response Fund 12,388,584 16,547,895 28,936,479 Estonia 162,866 162,866
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 15,160,860 1,201,711 3,021,191 19,383,762 Private donors in Denmark 156,083 156,083
Norway 1,547,402 2,263,211 14,537,622 18,348,236 Private donors in the Netherlands 65,735 55 54,840 120,630
Italy 9,114,281 1,006,026 10,120,307 Liechtenstein 103,413 103,413
France 5,973,370 285,088 3,072,211 9,330,668 WFP 100,000 100,000
UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe (National partner in Germany) 8,205,588 8,205,588 Japan for UNHCR 92,265 92,265
Australia 7,729,272 7,729,272 Private donors in Oman 21,684 58,284 79,968
España con ACNUR (National partner in Spain) 218,341 7,483,098 7,701,439 Slovenia 55,804 55,804
Switzerland 253,334 6,553,699 6,807,033 UNAIDS 53,500 53,500
Country-based pooled funds 582,865 6,034,668 6,617,534 Private donors in Thailand 52,289 52,289
Sweden 277,439 5,669,608 5,947,046 Private donors in Monaco 33,482 33,482
Finland 5,500,550 5,500,550 Private donors in Brazil 899 31,558 32,457
Spain 2,380,564 255,157 1,143,276 550,055 4,329,053 Cyprus 27,594 27,594
Austria 1,782,171 2,188,731 3,970,901 Private donors in India 21 26,985 27,006
Republic of Korea 1,500,000 1,900,000 3,400,000 Morocco 24,995 24,995
Private donors in the United Arab Emirates 1,306,997 107,679 1,841,733 3,256,409 Private donors in the Philippines 18,960 18,960
Private donors in the United States of America 2,920,000 2,920,000 Private donors in Belgium 18,160 18,160
African Development Bank Group 2,667,042 2,667,042 Latvia 17,921 17,921
Private donors in the Republic of Korea 2,437,061 2,437,061 Holy See 15,000 15,000
Private donors in Kuwait 160,363 1,333,329 866,682 2,360,374 Croatia 11,696 11,696
USA for UNHCR 1,426,834 895,003 2,321,838 Private donors in Mexico 10,148 10,148
Australia for UNHCR 44,745 2,251,778 2,296,524 Private donors in Kenya 9,173 9,173
Qatar 2,243,914 2,243,914 Private donors in Austria 2,834 2,834
Luxembourg 941,423 1,255,230 2,196,653 Private donors in South Africa 146 146
Denmark 1,719,149 1,719,149
TOTAL* 705,534,007 5,614,673 124,913,760 476,350,606 1,312,413,046
Private donors in Japan 145,375 618,470 900,000 1,663,845
*
Notes:
Ireland 1,650,165 1,650,165 1)
Contributions include 6.5% indirect support costs.
Private donors in Lebanon 771,328 43,187 820,767 1,635,283 2)
Includes a total of $25.0 million acknowledged in past years for activities with implementation in 2020 and excludes $13.2 million acknowledged in 2020 for activities with implementation in 2021 and beyond.
3)
Includes contributions earmarked to the Iraq, Syria and Yemen situations.
Kuwait 1,560,000 39,490 1,599,490
Private donors in Canada 43,073 1,540,346 1,583,419
Private donors in Egypt 39,513 1,378,694 1,418,207
Poland 694,608 295,945 248,818 1,239,371
Private donors in Italy 58,123 254 1,108,987 1,167,364
UK for UNHCR 812,208 181,927 994,135
Private donors in Saudi Arabia 298,473 126,260 491,536 916,269
Belgium 210,967 639,018 849,985
Monaco 846,520 846,520
Russian Federation 300,000 500,000 800,000
Sweden for UNHCR 792,273 792,273
Czechia 603,679 25,505 629,183

170 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 171
T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S

Safeguarding
In the year of the 70 th anniversary of With a rise in risks, joint efforts were made
the adoption of UNHCR’s Statute by the towards more inclusive child protection
UN General Assembly, the drivers of forced systems, strengthened community-based

fundamental
displacement multiplied globally, and protection and mental health and
the COVID-19 pandemic jeopardized the psychosocial support, as well as scaled-up
fundamental rights of people of concern. best interests procedures, birth

rights
Nevertheless, as the first year of registration and strategies to address
implementation of the Global Refugee Forum childhood statelessness. A focus on
pledges, 2020 presented opportunities gender equality proved to be crucial
to further develop asylum capacity, for tackling gender-based violence,
thus supporting States to cope with disturbingly higher during the pandemic.
challenging circumstances such as
Despite the challenges of timely
public health emergencies.
identification of persons with disabilities
Access to international protection and and older persons in displacement
safeguarding public health are not and should contexts, worsened by the pandemic
never be mutually exclusive: States’ obligations and its disproportional effect on those
are not suspended in times of crisis. at heightened risk, UNHCR advanced its
commitments on inclusion, accountability,
UNHCR continued to advocate for full respect
and collection and proactive use of
of the non-derogable principle of non-
data through critical collaboration with
refoulement, while increased and often
communities and other partners. Moreover,
ydfydfdxf violent pushbacks at the border and
to support the meaningful inclusion of
interceptions at sea were reported, including
LGBTIQ+ displaced persons, UNHCR
with returns to risks of persecution or serious
enhanced partnership coordination
human rights violations. Throughout the
and advocacy on equal treatment,
pandemic, access to protection and the
anti-discrimination, participation, and
quality of that protection have suffered from
access to information and services.
restrictive measures applied by States—with
limited or no flexibility towards those in need
of protection, and from the disruption of basic
services, socioeconomic shocks, increased In this chapter
xenophobia, exacerbated protection risks
• Legal protection frameworks
and humanitarian access challenges. UNHCR
upheld those countries who were steadfast to • Registration, documentation and identity
their commitments and put in place adaptive management
procedures to ensure their asylum systems • Identifying international protection needs
remained accessible and operational, while • Refugee protection and migration,
simultaneously managing COVID-19 including responses to mixed movements
quarantine and treatment and undertaking
• Preventing and responding to
inclusive prevention and response plans. statelessness
Greater engagement with communities— • Community-based protection
including through innovative tools • Accountability to affected people
introduced by UNHCR and at inter-agency
• Child protection, youth engagement
level—allowed active participation of
and empowerment
forcibly displaced people and facilitated
their role as frontline responders. Age, • Gender equality
gender and diversity considerations • Protecting persons with disabilities
in all advocacy, policy and operational and older persons
Rohingya girls at a youth club they attend and
facilitate in Kutupalong refugee settlement, interventions proved their worth in • Protecting LGBTIQ+ persons in forced
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
© UNHCR/Vincent Tremeau responding to the COVID-19 emergency. displacement

172 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 173
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S

Promoting and protecting and key UN and government agencies.

human rights UNHCR formed a technical working group
and organized webinars for policymakers
To strengthen its engagement with human
and protection actors, with the support of
rights mechanisms, UNHCR adopted a
the Special Rapporteur on the human rights
9 States saw the adoption
of laws and legislative

ydfydfdxf
“Human rights engagement strategy” in
of IDPs, key parliamentarians and the changes demonstrating
October 2020, underpinned by a learning improvements in refugee
national Commission on Human Rights. rights. 2019 result: 16.
programme to give staff the knowledge
and practical skills on human rights tools
to protect people of concern. Guidance
Challenges and unmet needs
on UNHCR’s engagement with national Many countries hosting large refugee
human rights institutions provided a populations are not States parties to
blueprint for leveraging partnerships the 1951 Convention or its 1967 Protocol
with national human rights institutions and do not have domestic refugee or
to support UNHCR’s mandate and its asylum legislation.
protection and advocacy work. UNHCR
18 judicial proceedings in
Legal protection frameworks
complemented this with Guidance on While States often solicited UNHCR’s
which UNHCR provided
addressing racism and xenophobia, views on proposed legislative changes, interpretation of relevant
© UNHCR/Mohamed Alalem focusing on responding to discrimination those views were not always followed, principles of international
refugee and human rights law.
against people of concern. leading to legislation with reduced 2019 result: 17.
protection safeguards, or provisions at
UNHCR staff identify and assist some of the 148 refugees and asylum-seekers at the community day centre in Tripoli, Libya after facilitating their release from
the Suq al Khamees detention centre. Operational highlights variance with the country’s international
or regional legal obligations. For instance,
Chad, hosting 483,000 refugees and
of the 23 countries which saw the
asylum-seekers, adopted its first ever
adoption of laws and legislative changes
asylum law, guaranteeing fundamental
Global Strategic Priorities
Results and achievements rights. Although COVID-19 forced many to their domestic refugee protection
Legislation on refugees rights including freedom of movement,
Law and policy on IDPs courts to close temporarily, UNHCR framework, nine involved some
See p. 12 for GSP results To advance the rights and legal protection the right to work, and access to health
intervened as a third party in 18 cases in restrictions to refugee rights. In many
of refugees and other forcibly displaced care, education and justice. The law
people in accordance with its supervisory
10 jurisdictions.
makes Chad one of the first countries in
countries, legislative sessions were also 93 States received
technical advice from UNHCR
suspended because of the COVID-19
responsibility, UNHCR continued to the region to fulfil a pledge made during to ensure compliance with
Law and policy on internal pandemic, causing delays including for international and regional
advocate for States’ accession to the the 2019 Global Refugee Forum to
displacement processes UNHCR was supporting.
refugee protection standards.
1951 Refugee Convention and its strengthen legal, physical and material 2019 result: 89.

1967 Protocol and their translation into UNHCR supported the development of protection of refugees and asylum-seekers. Changes in government authorities and
domestic law. By December 2020, national frameworks on internal UNHCR supported the Government of institutions represented a key challenge
149 States were party to either the displacement by providing legal and Chad in developing the law, providing for adopting and implementing national
1951 Convention or its 1967 Protocol, technical advice in 14 States, including technical advice and written observations laws and policies on IDPs in various
70 of which maintained reservations and Colombia, Mali, Mexico, the Philippines, throughout the legislative process. countries, including Mali and South Sudan.
declarations to one or both instruments. South Sudan and Ukraine. Mexico’s In the Philippines, UNHCR provided Lack of capacity to respond to IDPs’
UNHCR provided States with guidance on national legal framework, developed with technical assistance for the development legal needs and access to justice,
interpreting and applying international UNHCR’s support, was submitted to the of a regional legal framework for IDP due to inadequate implementation of
Senate as a draft law after unanimous
14 States developed
and regional refugee law standards protection in the Bangsamoro international, regional and national national frameworks on
domestically. UNHCR also engaged with approval by the Chamber of Deputies. Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, frameworks and standards, was also internal displacement with
UNHCR’s support.
UN agencies and legal, judicial and At the regional level, Mozambique and in partnership with local organizations a key challenge. 2019 result: 11.

academic partners and networks. In 2020, Somalia ratified the Kampala Convention,
UNHCR engaged with the legislative with UNHCR helping translate it into domestic
processes of 93 countries: 23 countries law. In Somalia, a draft federal IDP Act was
adopted laws or legislative changes, nine presented in a validation workshop ahead
of which represented advances in refugee of review by the Attorney General.

174 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 175
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S

app, Verify Plus, for authenticating 160,000 kiosks run by mobile network
identity. These developments helped operators. As a result, Ugandan

ydfydfdxf extend data collection and electronic

verification to remote locations, while
authorities allowed mobile operators
to issue SIM cards to refugees on the
new French and Spanish versions of same basis as Ugandan nationals. 100 country operations
used proGres v4.
the software and training materials Target: 90. 2019 result: 73.
strengthened the tool usage and the Challenges and unmet needs
quality of data in non-English speaking
The number of individuals newly
operations.
registered in PRIMES fell 28% between
The emergency registration capacities of 2019 and 2020 because of prolonged

Registration, documentation
eight operations were enhanced thanks restrictions on movement. Without remote
to the deployment of nine graduates of registration arrangements, including

and identity management

the Training on Emergency Registration. technologies to facilitate refugees’
Additionally, 12 Danish Refugee self-service, remote training and 75 country operations used
© UNHCR/Alexis Huguet Council-managed registration roster simulations, and contactless biographic BIMS and Irisguard.
Target: 75. 2019 result: 69.
members were deployed to 10 operations and biometric data collection, the gap
to conduct continuous registration, would have been three times as large.
Central African refugees await their turn for biometric screening at the registration site in Ndu, Bas Uele province, in northern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
population verification and/or prepare
Support for developing a refugee self-
for PRIMES deployment.
service platform, known as MyUNHCR,
was not provided as planned to UNHCR’s
Global Strategic Priorities
Results and achievements profiling and identity management Operational highlights
Registration Middle East and North Africa bureau and
See p. 12 for GSP result capabilities. At the centre of this work
Registration establishes unique identities In Jordan, to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 Asia and the Pacific bureau, because
was UNHCR’s Population Registration
for people of concern and is the basis for disrupting access to documentation, more time had to be invested during the
delivery of protection and assistance and
and Identity Management EcoSystem
UNHCR launched its first continuous technical discovery and design phase, 20 country operations used
(PRIMES), which includes proGres v4, UNHCR’s Global Distribution
for access to services. It also contributes remote registration procedures in the resulting in development, piloting and Tool. 2019 result: 14.
a global, web-based source of information
to identifying trends and patterns in region. Data was collected in phone deployment delays.
about registered individuals, the
population movements. interviews, with “know your customer”
Biometric Identity Management System UNHCR’s policy on registration and
standards to authenticate identities
Registration protects against refoulement, (BIMS)/IrisGuard and the Global identity management was not released
remotely, instead of the biometric
arbitrary arrest and detention, and helps Distribution Tool (GDT). in 2020, as COVID-19 raised many new
information usually taken at registration.
to reunify families and trace separated issues, particularly for self-service and
By the end of 2020, 100 operations were A unique caller ID and a one-time
children. In 2020 however, the pandemic remote registration, which must inform
using proGres v4, 10 more than originally password, used during the phone
and concomitant restrictions on the policy going forward. The policy will
planned and 27 more than in 2019, interview and for scheduling purposes,
movement constituted a major obstacle. covering 15 million individuals, a 44% rise. further strengthened the integrity of the
be prioritized for publication in 2021 to 41 country operations
implemented remote
In response, UNHCR adapted its policies reflect these new registration and identity
UNHCR achieved its Grand Bargain process. Records were efficiently processed, registration arrangements
15 million and guidance, instituting remote commitment to roll out BIMS to a total of efficiently capturing information on new
management methods. in PRIMES.
individual registration records
in PRIMES proGres v4. registration arrangements across 75 operations, adding six in 2020. arrivals, births and updated family
Target: 15 million. 41 country operations. New methods INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION RECORDS
2019 result: 10.2 million. Individual biometric records in BIMS compositions. In parallel, a hybrid 2015-2020
included technologies that facilitated reached 9.2 million, up from 8.8 million. asylum-seeker’s certificate distribution
refugees’ self-service, remote training The GDT was deployed in 20 operations mechanism—developed to complement 16

Millions
15 million
and simulations, and contactless data by year-end, up from 14 in 2019. these remote registration procedures— 14

collection. Biometric devices were Employing such biometric tools means ensured the delivery of certificates to
12
9,2 million
10
remodelled to enable contactless aid gets to the right recipient swiftly and 266,586 individuals in 2020. 8
biometric capture and identification. simply, reducing the risk of fraud.
Registration interviews were held via In Uganda, UNHCR and mobile operators 6
4
UNHCR made enhancements to PRIMES, agreed on the interoperable use of their
video calls. Plexiglass dividers were 2
9.2 million installed in registration facilities.
enabling its offline tool (RApp) to systems for authenticating the identity
0
individuals (5 years and consolidate inputs from multiple data of people of concern to UNHCR. This 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
above) with biometric records
Despite the pandemic, in 2020 UNHCR sources, allowing decentralized user enabled the biometric authentication of
in PRIMES. Target: 10 million. Individual registration records in PRIMES proGres v4
2019 result: 8.8 million. continued to strengthen its registration, management, and launching a mobile the identities of people of concern using Individuals (5 years and above) with biometric records in PRIMES

176 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 177
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S

Operational highlights asylum applications in most countries due

to increased travel restrictions, national
As a result of the pandemic, certain
asylum systems continued to see
adaptive measures for national asylum
increased backlogs that will be
systems required States such as
challenging to overcome after the 123 national asylum
Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Kenya, South Sudan, systems introduced adaptive
situation normalizes. There are additional measures as a result of
Austria and Estonia and several other COVID-19.
adaptive measures that countries could
European Union member States to
be taking to ensure that the asylum
increasingly use physical distancing or
systems are prepared to face these risks
technology to issue new documents,
and minimize the time necessary for the
conduct remote asylum interviews or
systems to recover.
court hearings. States such as Ghana,

ydfydfdxf the Russian Federation, Luxembourg and

certain other European Union member
As this was the first year of the
implementation of Global Refugee Forum 115,800 individual
Identifying international States also extended by law, or practice, pledges, 2020 also presented new asylum applications
processed by UNHCR includes
the validity of expired or soon to expire opportunities, in particular a renewed both substantive and

protection needs
asylum documents. Portugal extended focus on the importance of asylum system administrative decisions.
Projection before COVID-19:
the validity of documents and provided adaptability and the ability of such systems 120,000. 2019 result: 120,400.

© UNHCR/Tom Hines access to health care, employment, social to respond to similar or different challenges
benefits and financial services. These in the future. Political support and
adaptive measures effectively ensured investment in innovation, including the
A UNHCR staff member visits a family of asylum-seekers who are integrating in their host community of Belize and learning English. Over 2,000 refugees and
asylum-seekers from Central America have found safety in Belize. asylum-seekers’ access to protection, provision of RSD services through remote
despite a reduction of in-person services. arrangements and technology, will be key
in enabling asylum systems to effectively
While many States continued to adapt
Results and achievements access to asylum and preventing
national asylum processes in the context
respond. Within the framework of the 55,000 new and
backlogs building up in national systems. ACSG, additional offers of support will be appeal asylum applications
The same year that the implementation of of COVID-19, others took additional registered by UNHCR
important in ensuring that the needs of (includes both substantive and
Global Refugee Forum pledges started, In parallel, UNHCR issued revised and measures, including using group-based administrative decisions).
States improving their asylum systems
1.3 million due to the pandemic, States and partners updated RSD procedural standards to Projection before COVID-19:
responses to strengthen the fairness,
are met. 125,000. 2019 result: 124,900.
individual new and appeal had to mobilize resources to adapt their ensure accurate, timely and consistent efficiency and adaptability of the
asylum applications were
registered globally. Projection
systems to ensure the continued decision-making for operations engaged protection response to large-scale
before COVID-19: 2.5 million. identification of people with international in mandate-RSD activities. Following the movements. One such example was
2019 result: 2.3 million.
protection needs. issuance of guidance on working Sudan’s prima facie declaration for
modalities of the Asylum Capacity Ethiopian refugees.
As part of its global COVID-19 response,
Support Group (ACSG), UNHCR facilitated
UNHCR issued guidance on remote
interviewing of asylum applicants, the launch of pilot projects within the Challenges and unmet needs
enabling States and partners to introduce ACSG framework. Such projects aim to
While the impact of COVID-19 is not
assist the asylum authorities of the NEW AND APPEAL ASYLUM
adaptations in national asylum systems, yet fully understood, the complete APPLICATIONS REGISTERED* | 2010 -2020
countries concerned to assess gaps in
55 States where UNHCR while taking into consideration key suspension or only partial functioning
strategically engaged protection issues, as highlighted by their process. They can then draw up an of certain national asylum systems in
with refugee status
UNHCR’s protection dashboard. Of the action plan to address any lack of 2020 impaired people’s ability to 2.5 For more information

Millions
determination procedures on asylum and
pursuant to its mandate. approximately 130 States applying a capacity in the national asylum system, access international protection, thereby 2.0 related trends,
Target: 53. 2019 result:
53 (revised). national asylum/refugee status implement simplified and accelerated increasing their exposure to protection 1.5
see Chapter 5 of the
2020 Global Trends
determination (RSD) system, 98 adapted asylum processes, revise and improve risks. Globally, the number of new asylum- report
1.0
part of their procedures at the onset of the national legal framework, and set up seekers registered at first instance
0.5
the pandemic. By the end of the year, professionalized country of origin dropped by 45% in 2020, from 2 million
123 States had adapted their national information units. These pilot projects to 1 million. This represented the biggest
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
asylum procedures in response to laid the groundwork for improvements single year drop in new individual asylum States UNHCR
COVID-19. Such measures helped address in the fairness, efficiency, integrity and applications over the last two decades.
*In addition, UNHCR and States operating joint procedures received 600
public health concerns while maintaining adaptability of national asylum systems. Likewise, despite this significant drop in applications in 2020.

178 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 179
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S

“Framework document on developing Challenges and unmet needs

standard operating procedures to
Dangerous sea movements continued,
facilitate the identification and protection
with fatal incidents in all regions,
of victims of trafficking”.
including off the coast of the Bolivarian 643 persons in need
of international protection

ydfydfdxf
UNHCR updated learning programmes Republic of Venezuela, in the Atlantic resettled through the
on mixed movements and trafficking and and in the Mediterranean and Andaman Emergency Transit
Mechanisms.
smuggling and, due to COVID-19, held Seas. Too many people were compelled
them online for staff in the West and to take precarious sea journeys in
Central Africa and the Middle East and overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels,
North Africa regions. falling prey to unscrupulous smugglers,
facing pushbacks at sea and denied
UNHCR participated in the UN Network
disembarkation in a place of safety.
on Migration, as a member of its Executive
Strengthening search and rescue capacity
Committee and co-lead of its Working 677 people of concern in
Refugee protection and migration, Group on Alternatives to Detention,
which issued the policy brief “COVID-19
is fundamental and necessary to save
lives at sea, although not sufficient to
the Niger Emergency Transit
Mechanism. Average length of

including responses to mixed movements

stay: 535 days.
prevent recurring tragedies. Predictable
and immigration detention: What can
disembarkation in line with international
Governments and other stakeholders
© UNHCR/Mohamed Alalem standards is needed to ensure that
do?” Given their potential impact on
survivors are promptly delivered to a place
asylum and international protection,
of safety. Strengthened international
Refugees and migrants from Ghana, Mali and Sudan are counselled by UNHCR staff after disembarking from a Libyan coast guard vessel in Tripoli, Libya. UNHCR also engaged actively with other
cooperation and responsibility- and
workstreams of the UN Migration Network,
burden-sharing are also needed to ensure
in particular with the Working Group on
Results and achievements To help prevent deaths on dangerous land Return and Reintegration of Migrants,
access to protection, assistance and other 315 people of concern
solutions for rescued survivors, in line in the Rwanda Emergency
and sea routes, UNHCR further developed focusing on objective 21 of the Global Transit Mechanism. Average
In 2020, UNHCR continued efforts to with international law and standards. length of stay: 155 days.
communication with communities (CwC) Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular
prevent violations and abuses towards Migration: “Cooperate in facilitating safe
at risk via its revised Accountability to
95,031 arrivals people under UNHCR's mandate moving
Affected People policy, country and and dignified return and readmission, as
along Mediterranean Sea in mixed flows, and to provide them with well as sustainable reintegration”.
route. 2019: 123,663. regional CwC strategies and its flagship
adequate protection and assistance.
initiative “Telling the Real Story”.
Given the multisectoral response, UNHCR
Operational highlights
developed and strengthened inter-agency UNHCR advocated for increased access
SEA ARRIVALS AND ESTIMATED DEAD AND MISSING
engagement, leading or co-leading virtual to third-country solutions for refugees in In Libya, UNHCR and IOM advocated
ALONG THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA ROUTE
Mixed Migration Working Groups and mixed movements along the Mediterranean against mass expulsions of mixed groups 2015-2020
Task Forces at country and regional levels. routes, including evacuations to Emergency of third-country nationals without due
1,401 estimated dead Transit Mechanisms in Niger and Rwanda, process and in unsafe and undignified
and/or missing along It engaged with the European Union and 1,200,000 6,000
Mediterranean Sea route. resettlement, and complementary conditions. UNHCR’s advocacy for 1,032,408 5,096
2019: 1,335. African Union, supporting key protection 1,000,000 5,000
pathways including family reunification. alternatives to detention led to the release
and solutions objectives under the Khartoum
UNHCR proposed route-based protection of 400 refugees and asylum-seekers. 800,000 4,000
and Rabat Processes and the guiding 3,771 3,139

initiatives to strengthen overall protection 600,000 3,000

framework of the Joint Valletta Action Under the Central Mediterranean Family 2,270
responses, in line with the Central 400,000
373,652
2,000
Plan. It engaged on the new EU pact on Reunification Project, a partnership with 1,335 1,401
Mediterranean Risk Mitigation Strategy 185,139 141,472
the International Refugee Assistance
1,000
asylum and migration and advocated,
200,000
123,663
and the “Live, Learn and Participate” 95,031

533 people in need of alongside IOM and via the AU-EU-UN

child protection initiative in Egypt,
Project and RefugePoint, 375 children 0 0

international protection Task Force on Libya, for the rights of benefited from best interests procedures; 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
evacuated through the Ethiopia, Libya and Sudan.
Emergency Transit refugees and migrants in the context of 180 unaccompanied children, youth and Sea arrivals* Dead and missing

Mechanisms. 2019: 2,029. arbitrary detention and mass expulsions. As co-chair of the Global Protection vulnerable adults were referred for legal * Includes sea arrivals to Italy, Cyprus, and Malta, and both sea and land arrivals to Greece and Spain (including
the Canary Islands). Data are as of 31 December 2020 for all countries except Cyprus for which last available
It engaged with States and humanitarian Cluster anti-trafficking team, UNHCR aid assistance; 445 individuals benefited data are as of 31 August 2020.

actors to try to save lives by advocating developed the “Introductory guide to anti- from support to family reunification ** Refugees and migrants continued using dangerous routes to reach Europe, although arrivals decreased by
23% compared to 2019, in part due to COVID-related border closures. Around 55,300 people arrived in Italy,
for strengthened search and rescue in the trafficking action in internal displacement procedures; and 30 individuals departed Malta and Spain, 24% more than in 2019. Sea arrivals to Italy in 2020 nearly tripled, Tunisians being the largest
group. 23,023 individuals arrived in the Canary Islands via the Atlantic route, an almost eightfold increase,
Mediterranean and West African Atlantic. contexts”. With IOM, it issued the to reunite with family members in Europe. although sea and land arrivals elsewhere in Spain via the Western Mediterranean route fell 37%.

180 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 181
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S

expanded the number of joint strategies Challenges and unmet needs

to address childhood statelessness to 18.
Despite these positive developments, the
UNHCR also worked with the Peter
COVID-19 pandemic caused a setback in
McMullin Centre on Statelessness in
Australia and the Catholic University of
statelessness prevention efforts and had a 63,200 stateless
disproportionate impact on stateless persons acquired a nationality,

ydfydfdxf Central Africa in Cameroon to deliver

dedicated statelessness courses virtually.
populations. Many stateless persons were
barred from accessing testing and
or had it confirmed.
Target: 100,000.
2019 result: 81,074.
Joint activities were undertaken with the treatment due to lack of legal status, were
Inter-Parliamentary Union, including an excluded from social services, and faced
advocacy event to bolster parliamentary significant socioeconomic impacts as a
action to end statelessness. result of the crisis. In May 2020, UNHCR
issued guidance on policy and good 1 accession to the 1954
Operational highlights practice to help protect stateless people and the 1961 Statelessness
Conventions. Target: 12.
and ensure their access to services.
Preventing and responding
2019 result: 4.
Notable progress was made in the area
of resolving protracted situations of 2020 saw a lower number of States

to statelessness statelessness. In December, following acceding to the UN Statelessness

extensive advocacy efforts by UNHCR, Conventions than anticipated, however
© UNHCR/Hélène Caux
the President of Kenya announced a 2021 marks the 60 th anniversary of the
landmark decision to grant citizenship to adoption of the 1961 Convention on the 19 States improved their
Reduction of Statelessness and advocacy nationality laws, policies and
A stateless mother of four stands at the door of her home in Brits, North West Province, South Africa.
1,670 stateless Shona and 1,300 stateless procedures in line with
efforts to commemorate the anniversary international standards.
persons of Rwandan descent.
are expected to accelerate the number of Target: 20. 2019 result: 13.

In Central Asia, UNHCR continued its accessions.

Global Strategic Priorities
Results and achievements A large number of States with significant statelessness identification and reduction
Legislation on statelessness The lack of reliable data on statelessness
Birth registration populations of persons at risk of programme in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and
See p. 12 for GSP result Despite the challenges posed by the also continued to be a challenge. Current
statelessness removed barriers to birth Turkmenistan, where UNHCR’s legal
COVID-19 pandemic, notable progress statistics cover only 94 countries with
was made in raising awareness of the
registration. In Turkmenistan, a new civil partners conducted outreach activities a total number of 4.2 million stateless 3 States established or
registration law entered into force which and provided legal counselling to improved statelessness
plight of stateless persons and in persons reported. A number of initiatives determination procedures.
achieving concrete results to prevent and guarantees birth registration to all identified persons to acquire nationality are underway to tackle this problem, Target: 10. 2019 result: 2.

resolve statelessness. Pledges submitted children born in the country. The Republic or have it confirmed. As a result of joint including the joint development of
at the 2019 High-Level Segment on of the Congo removed fees associated efforts by the Governments, UNHCR International Recommendations on
Statelessness and Global Refugee Forum with birth registration and established and civil society, over 34,600 stateless Statelessness Statistics by UNHCR,
helped accelerate these efforts. Of the auxiliary civil status centres in health persons acquired nationality in 2020, the Expert Group on Refugees and
270 pledges to address statelessness facilities. A number of States also made including some 28,400 in Uzbekistan, Internally Displaced Persons Statistics, 94 States reported reliable
submitted by States at the High-Level arrangements to mitigate the impact of 4,200 in Tajikistan and 2,000 in and UNFPA. The recommendations are quantitative data on stateless
persons. Target: 88.
Segment and the Forum, more than the pandemic on birth registration rates. Kazakhstan. likely to be adopted in 2023. 2019 result: 92.
30 pledges were either fully or partially In March, the Government of Jordan
implemented by the end of 2020. suspended deadlines for birth INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ACQUIRED A NATIONALIT Y | 2015-2020
With technical support from UNHCR, registration and waived fees for late
81,074
90
birth registration. In an effort to identify

Thousands
19 countries reformed their nationality
80 For more information
laws, policies and procedures to close and protect stateless persons, Côte 60,800
on statelessness,
70
56,500 56,400
gaps leading to statelessness during d’Ivoire, Kazakhstan and Ukraine 60
see Chapter 7 of the
49,100 63,200 2020 Global Trends
the year. Particularly important were established statelessness determination 50 report
legislative changes introducing legal procedures. 40
safeguards to prevent statelessness. 30
Albania, for instance, adopted a new In 2020, UNHCR strengthened its existing 20
nationality law which includes an partnerships to address statelessness. 10

unrestricted safeguard to grant nationality UNHCR and UNICEF continued their joint 0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
to stateless children born in its territory, efforts as part of the Coalition on Every
Number of individuals
if they would otherwise be stateless. Child’s Right to a Nationality and

182 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 183
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S

Community-based protection in each specific location. In total, the youth

committee reached 4,899 community
emergency preparedness, and a range of
general protection issues.
members (2,092 male and 2,807 female).
Global Strategic Priorities
Peaceful coexistence
Results and achievements regionalization, UNHCR invested in building
Challenges and unmet needs
regional capacity to design and deliver In Bangladesh, in the settlements of
See p. 14 for GSP result
Communities are often the first responders
training to community-based protection Cox’s Bazar, UNHCR’s community group
289 participatory
Effective community-based protection assessments reported globally
in situations that humanitarian actors have
officers. In the East and Horn of Africa and programme was expanded to 30 settlements requires proximity, regular interactions with across UNHCR operations.
difficulties reaching, a fact made all the more the Great Lakes region, a tailored learning
2019 result: 510.
with 150 community groups, comprising communities, time, resources and constant
evident with the onset of the COVID-19 programme focusing on community-based over 3,490 volunteers, including 35 female innovation to adapt to rapidly changing
pandemic. Country operations where protection in the context of COVID-19 was youth groups with 630 active members, contexts. COVID-19 restrictions resulted in
UNHCR and partners had invested time and rolled out. UNHCR’s global online community disseminating accurate information on limited humanitarian access to affected
resources in forging strong protection of practice was revamped and re-launched COVID-19 prevention. These groups communities while scarce resources were
partnerships with communities prior to the in 2020, with specific guidance and tools to collectively identified and prioritized the shifted to address other priorities resulting
pandemic were able to adapt to new realities address challenges related to COVID-19, needs of their communities, and in response, from interruptions in community-based and
faster, with people of concern experiencing
fewer interruptions in access to, and delivery
facilitate peer learning, and identify and designed and implemented close to gender equality interventions, as well as 10 operations reported
document promising practices in the 5,860 service projects, focusing on raising peaceful-coexistence programming.
21 operations reported of, protection and other key services, often context of COVID-19. awareness on COVID-19, protection risks, Social distancing hindered the ability of
progress in the disaggregation
of data by age, sex and
a higher percentage of diversity. 2019 result: 28.
implemented programme managed by refugees themselves. improving infrastructure, disaster risk communities to come together to discuss
priorities identified by Participatory approaches remained a critical
community members. Examples of refugee frontline responders reduction, and promoting meaningful their needs and work jointly to address
2019 result: 33.
component of UNHCR’s age, gender and
in 2020 were numerous: in Duhok, Iraq, participation. UNHCR also trained these them. Where such limitations prevailed,
diversity (AGD) and community-based
community members were trained remotely community volunteers on various issues, UNHCR invested in innovative outreach
protection approaches; however COVID-19
in psychological first aid in response to the including disability inclusion, conflict and communication, including with those
physical distancing guidance limited
growing mental health needs produced by resolution, community engagement, gender it had limited or no direct contact with.
humanitarian access and forced country
the COVID-19 pandemic. In Nepal, UNHCR equality, leadership and interpersonal However, additional investments in
operations to adapt their participatory
increased the number of female community communication. In total, this network community-based protection are needed
methodologies. Successful examples
workers to ensure a safe and trusted channel conducted 82,635 outreach sessions, to better support community-based and
emerged from a number of operations where
reaching 439,200 refugees, covering health, refugee-led organizations who are standing
20 operations reported a
for gender-based violence case referral digital solutions, working through refugee
hygiene, COVID-19 prevention and response, up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
higher percentage of people and to provide confidential 24/7 access to facilitators and diversifying participatory
of concern represented in
leadership management UNHCR’s protection hotline. IDPs in Ukraine approaches for data collection proved
structures. 2019 result: 29. were also actively involved in the COVID-19 successful. Globally, despite the challenges
response, including by taking part in related to COVID-19, 289 UNHCR-led
SPOTLIGHT: Strengthening peaceful coexistence between communities
coordinating committees led by local participatory assessments, inclusive of all
authorities, running counselling hotlines, and people of concern, were reported across The COVID-19 pandemic imposed a strain on national services and severely impacted socioeconomic
conducting psychological support and art conditions for host and displaced communities alike. This resulted in increased tensions among
operations in 2020, compared to 510 in 2019.
displaced and host communities, particularly in areas where resources and livelihoods where already scarce.
therapy classes for adolescents. In Lebanon,
On the other hand, the pandemic also prompted the emergence of many community-based initiatives in support
more than 450 refugees with a medical Operational highlights of those most impacted by the pandemic from both communities. In an effort to support these peaceful
background were mobilized as community coexistence initiatives, UNHCR worked closely with States, local authorities, and community structures to mitigate
30 operations reported health volunteers, focusing on COVID-19
As part of the larger community structures
the impact of COVID-19 through a community-based approach. UNHCR supported communities in identifying
a higher percentage of
that UNHCR invested in setting up in issues that were the source of conflict and tension, and implementing social, cultural and livelihoods programming
host community members’ awareness, hygiene promotion, surveillance
expressions of support for the Doro refugee camp in South Sudan, for displaced and host communities alike.
continued presence of people and initial advice. To strengthen its support of
representatives from the camp’s youth
of concern. 2019 result: 24. community structures and frontline refugee UNHCR also invested in national infrastructure and services for both host and displaced communities. In Nigeria,
committee ensured that key information on UNHCR supported the construction and renovation of disease control and primary health facilities, medical staff
responders, UNHCR offered guidance
COVID-19, including good hygiene practices, accommodation quarters, and COVID-19 testing and isolation centres. These projects benefited both the Cameroonian
on partnership modalities and followed up on
was communicated and disseminated in each refugees and the local communities hosting them in urban areas and settlements as well as rural areas.
pledges made at the Global Refugee Forum
of the eight local dialects. Youth committee
in relation to meaningful participation. In Tanganyika in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in response to increasing tension linked to competition
members composed eight songs on over basic social services and resources, UNHCR organized 583 awareness-raising sessions on peace and
UNHCR continued to equip staff with relevant COVID-19 in their local languages and visited peaceful coexistence. Activities were carried out through 380 focus groups, 36 open sessions, 34 participatory
knowledge, skills and practical resources. one village after another, sensitizing refugee theatre sessions and 133 door-to-door campaigns. In total, 24,372 individuals were reached through face-to-face
5,516 community Since its launch in September 2019, the community members to the risks of sessions and messages on peace and peaceful cohabitation were recorded in the form of spots (1,432) and
groups supported globally
community-based protection online course COVID-19, and singing the translated version broadcasted on partner community radio stations in the territories of Kalemie, Manono, Moba, Nynzu and Pweto,
across UNHCR operations. reaching an estimated population of around 738,803 listeners.
2019 result: 4,235. benefitted over 1,200 staff. To support of the songs according to the dialect spoken

184 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 185
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S

channels of two-way communication, concern and provide feedback on

using new technological approaches. adaptive arrangements. In Kenya, the
UNHCR-supported call centre become
A number of country offices for instance
a trusted source of information about
turned to messaging apps to keep
the COVID-19 pandemic. In Lebanon,
refugee communication channels open

ydfydfdxf during times of physical distancing. These

provided critical life-saving information,
WhatsApp communication trees allowed
information to be provided and shared
between UNHCR and people of concern.
linked people of concern to online
services, and created spaces for feedback
and referral to other service providers.
Challenges and unmet needs
UNHCR worked across operations to While face-to-face communication and
build on existing initiatives and trial a traditional channels like radio remain
more systematic and scalable approach important, people of concern’s
for engaging communities on WhatsApp preferences are diversifying to include
through a pilot project covering four increased use of multi-channel contact

Accountability to affected people

countries, beginning in Ecuador. centres, digital platforms and social media
In Ecuador, UNHCR launched the first of channels. The pandemic amplified this
© UNHCR/Eugene Sibomana
these WhatsApp pilot projects, using a trend and UNHCR’s response has shone
communication channel trusted by many a bright light on the Office’s innovative
A Burundian refugee mother and child prepare to board a bus in the Rwandan border town of Nemba to return home after living in in the community. The pilot allowed work to ensure that UNHCR remains
Mahama camp since 2015.
people of concern to access information accountable to people of concern. It has
on COVID-19 and enabled them to share also highlighted challenging areas in
UNHCR’s response.
Global Strategic Priorities
International protection
Results and achievements guidance on risk communication and information with UNHCR and partners,
See p. 15 for GSP result community engagement at the onset of such as reporting incidents of violence or For instance, despite the adoption of
Open and transparent two-way
the pandemic; guidance on how to abuse. UNHCR ensured a human-centred new communication channels to share
communication and access to information
establish WhatsApp and other instant design approach, engaging with information and/or to receive and provide
are key to ensuring the participation
messaging trees; the accountability to communities to test features and feedback, UNHCR needed to ensure
of people of concern and UNHCR’s
affected people (AAP) operational functionalities as the pilot moved forward. that opportunities were securely,
accountability to affected people; this
guidance; the senior managers’ compact In Ecuador, during the initial three-month
was never more apparent than in the systematically and sustainably leveraged,
guide on AAP, and a guide for using social trial phase, over 200,000 messages were
face of the COVID-19 pandemic. without deprioritizing traditional
media in community-based protection. sent between UNHCR, partners and
face-to-face channels. For example,
Despite movement restrictions and limited UNHCR continued to co-chair the IASC around 12,000 users.
the increasing adoption of social media
access to affected communities, UNHCR Results Group 2 on Accountability and
UNHCR proactively sought ways to keep as a communication channel was not
85% of countries had had to ensure that consistent, trusted and Inclusion to support coordination and
two-way communication channels open without its challenges: the variety and
functioning feedback and accessible information on the pandemic collaboration on AAP in humanitarian
complaints mechanisms in despite lockdowns and physical velocity of information being shared,
place in areas inhabited by was made available to people of concern. responses and co-chaired a sub-group in distancing requirements. In Jordan, and the expectations for an “immediate
refugees, IDPs and others of It also had to ensure continued access the Global Collective Service for Risk
concern. 180 countries Morocco, and South Africa, it conducted response”, strained existing operational
reporting. to trusted feedback and complaint Communication and Community online focus group discussions to listen resources at all levels and exposed policy
mechanisms so that programmes and Engagement focused on refugees, to the needs and priorities of people of and expertise gaps.
interventions could be adapted to ensure migrants and IDPs. As a result of this
everyone, regardless of their age, gender,
engagement, inter-agency guidance was
disability, race, religion, sexual orientation
produced and UNHCR organized four
and/or gender identity, could safely
80% of country
access services and opportunities on
global webinars to disseminate best
operations reported all practice on risk communication and
geographic areas inhabited by an equal footing.
people of concern were community engagement. In addition,
reached by COVID-19
To help operations ensure accountability UNHCR engaged with community-led
information campaigns.
(120 out of 150 countries). to affected people, UNHCR produced organizations and partners to maintain

186 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 187
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S

engagement and nurturing youth as and shelter repairs for those in community
active agents of change. It built upon care centres. Most importantly, it

ydfydfdxf experience from UNHCR’s Youth Initiative

Fund and the Global Youth Advisory
enhanced the capacity of guardians and
receiving families, crucial when the
25 operations increased
Council, whose members were active in conflict blocked humanitarian assistance. the proportion of
online advocacy and pandemic response unaccompanied or separated
refugee children for whom
events. Eight UNHCR operations developed Challenges and unmet needs a Best Interests Procedure
youth initiatives after training on a was completed or initiated.
A multi-year analysis found the most Target: 30. 2019 result: 25.
new comprehensive youth engagement
frequent child protection challenges were
package.
government policies and/or capacities,

Child protection, youth engagement

UNHCR strengthened information funding, partner capacity, awareness
management and data analysis for child among people of concern about child

and empowerment
protection, publishing child protection protection issues and services, and
funding analysis in the inter-agency UNHCR staff capacity. Systematic 15 operations in which
non-discriminatory access to
© UNHCR/Lilly Carlisle “Still unprotected” report. UNHCR’s child underfunding of child protection, which national child protection and
protection module in proGres v4 was is on average 47% funded compared to social services for refugee
children was improved.
used in 61 settings for over 8,000 children 67% for global humanitarian appeals, 2019 result: 18.
A Syrian refugee and community volunteer plays football with refugee and Jordanian children in his neighbourhood in Karak, Jordan.
at risk. worsened in the pandemic. A survey of
over 100 UNHCR and partner staff
Operational highlights working on inter-agency child protection
Global Strategic Priorities
Best interests assessments
Results and achievements systems, scaling up best interests procedures, mechanisms picked funding as the top
In India, UNHCR’s child-friendly COVID-19
Access to national child registering births, and strengthening challenge in refugee settings, followed
services Children make up 31% of the world information guided parents and helped
See p. 13 for GSP result population but 40% of IDPs and 50% of
community-based protection, mental health
manage children’s anxiety. UNHCR and
by shortages of child protection actors 531 youth-led initiatives
and psychosocial support. and technical capacity, low visibility of supported under UNHCR’s
refugees. COVID-19 restricted education partners scaled up a child helpline and Youth Initiative Fund.
the child protection response, limited Target: 700. 2019 result: 551.
and youth opportunities while increasing Despite UNHCR’s work to improve access referral to remote best interests
capacity to scale up and absorb funding,
poverty, isolation and violence against to and quality of child-friendly procedures, procedures. Over 9,000 parents,
and lack of humanitarian access.
children. The most common child there were 18% fewer best interests caregivers and children benefited from
No youth-disaggregated data exists
protection issues in 2020 were related to assessments in 2020 but more children communication material and online
across humanitarian agencies, including
unaccompanied and separated children, at risk, unaccompanied or separated, dialogue on child protection issues,
UNHCR. Nor is there a system to
lack or loss of birth certificates, abuse or and COVID-19 restrictions made it harder including e-safety and online abuse.
violence outside home or school, child to identify and help them. Many operations
systematically track progress and ensure 30 children’s committees,
groups and other
In Ethiopia, UNHCR increased staffing accountability for the implementation
labour, child marriage, access to birth introduced remote case management, structures supported.
45,974 best interests registration, and non-child-friendly asylum pressed for child protection case managers
and enhanced case management and of the “Core actions for refugee youth”. Target: 30. 2019 result: 18.
assessments conducted.
procedures. UNHCR focused on scaled up family-like care arrangements
Target: 48,451. and social services to be considered
2019 result: 56,091*
strengthening access to child protection for unaccompanied and separated
essential staff, and worked with community
systems, providing best interests and children. Before the pandemic, UNHCR
outreach workers, volunteers and health NUMBER OF BEST INTERESTS
child-friendly refugee procedures, and partners had identified additional
professionals to strengthen identification ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED | 2016-2020
supporting families and communities, foster families and increased the child
and referral. Community-based child
and providing opportunities for youth protection workforce to bolster quality 73,599
protection mechanisms such as youth 80,000

engagement and empowerment. case management. Incentives paid to

clubs, child protection committees and 70,000
62,790 56,091*
foster families, unchanged in five years, 55,679
16.09 million Progress was made on the inclusion of
adolescent and children’s groups grew to
rose after a market assessment.
60,000
50,000
48,451
refugees and IDPs accessed 97, from 87 in 2019, with many moving 50,482 55,377 54,797 56,702 45,974
protection services, including refugees in national child protection Only 300 unaccompanied or separated 40,000
gender-based violence and online. Challenges included insufficient
child protection services.
systems in Greece, Mexico and elsewhere. children remained in community care 30,000
qualified child protection staff, limited
A UNHCR-UNICEF “Blueprint for joint when armed conflict broke out in
20,000
access to basic services, and limited 10,000
action: A fair deal for refugee children” November, a reduction of over 85% within
access to community-based programmes. 0
elaborated a holistic strategy to ensure a year and the fewest since community 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
no child was left behind. 11 operations A new regional approach, “Raising UNHCR care began in 2010. UNHCR prioritized Target Year-end result
developed plans for including refugee capacities for youth”, focused on cash assistance for unaccompanied and
*Data addition included since the previous Global Report reporting cut-off date
children in national child protection strengthening youth programming and separated children in family-based care (55,769 Best Interests assessments reported in Global Report 2019).

188 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 189
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S

UNHCR released its Gender Equality were lifted, with UNHCR and partners UNHCR's
Toolkit in 2020 and provided operational successfully mobilizing women, including COMMITMENTS
TO WOMEN
support towards the institutionalization those at heightened risk, to stand AND GIRLS
of gender equality and women’s for election.
empowerment initiatives. Thanks to an
In Chad, UNHCR and partners engaged
adapted virtual gender equality learning
1
in emergency protection services during Women and girls
programme, staff in UNHCR’s Asia and
lockdowns. The closure of schools, participate equally
the Pacific bureau honed technical skills and meaningfully in
workplaces and safe spaces for women all decision making,
to identify and address gender gaps.
and girls increased the risk of protection community
To facilitate cross-operational learning management and
incidents, particularly against women and leadership structures,
and seize opportunities to advance
girls and young children. Ensuring equal
ydfydfdxf
and committees of
gender equality, UNHCR and partners people of concern.
or greater representation of female
documented emerging and promising members in committees and focal points

Gender equality
© UNHCR/Jaime Giménez
practices in sub-Saharan Africa.

UNHCR also continued to promote

was crucial to support protection cases
with referrals to relevant resources and
and advocate for gender equality in protection services.

A Venezuelan refugee participates in the painting of a mural organized by UNHCR in Carcelén, north of Quito, Ecuador to promote women’s rights and peaceful
humanitarian action by building on
initiatives such as gender audits of global Challenges and unmet needs
2 Women and girls
are provided with
individual registration
coexistence between refugees and host communities.
and documentation,
processes around the Global Refugee Gender inequalities were exacerbated directly or through
Forum and the Global Compact on by COVID-19. Structural violence and support provided by
UNHCR.
Refugees, becoming a board member discrimination based on gender put
Global Strategic Priorities
Results and achievements leadership skills to actively participate of the Compact on Women, Peace and
Female participation women’s participation in decision-making
in leadership and in decision-making. Empowered Security and Humanitarian Action. A core
management International UNHCR is committed to the equal and and leadership bodies at risk. Refugee
women and girls’ committees fostered action outcome of the “2020 UNHCR
protection meaningful participation of women and communities in Kenya and Indonesia
See p. 14 for GSP result participation and actively searched for Policy on the prevention of, risk
girls in decision-making processes, could not achieve leadership gender
3
solutions to reduce gender discrimination. mitigation, and response to gender-based Women and girls
community management and leadership parity because movement restrictions
Key messages on gender equality were have equal
structures, in both emergency and violence” is preventing gender-based delayed representative elections. access to and control
amplified through mobile networks while violence by addressing gender inequality, over management and
protracted displacement situations. In the Elsewhere, the number of women
community-based complaints mechanisms provision of food, core
context of lockdowns and social distancing, discrimination and unequal power participating decreased, dropping relief items, and cash
to report sexual exploitation and abuse relations. assistance.
collaboration with community-based from 45% to 37% in Zambia. This reflects
were strengthened through peer
women’s organizations was reinforced to an established and known tendency:
counselling. In the Central African Operational highlights
support remote service delivery, while in the face of an emergency, women’s
Republic, a radio communication strategy participation in leadership structures
promoting women’s leadership. UNHCR The highest percentage of women’s
was developed with women returnee tends to decrease.
developed guidelines for outreach
48 situations reporting on community leaders to conduct participation in community leadership
UNHCR’s global strategic
priority indicator for female
volunteers to continue awareness-raising
activities with telecommunication and sensitization on COVID-19, gender-based structures was achieved in the operations
in Cameroon (49%), Rwanda (50.9%) and
Equal access to decision-making 4 Women and girls
have equal
participation had either violence risks and services, and gender entities does not guarantee meaningful access to economic
social media platforms. In Pakistan, opportunities, decent
improved or maintained the
equality. the United Republic of Tanzania (49.3%). participation for disadvantaged groups. work, and quality
percentage of female UNHCR collaborated with female
participants in leadership and In Cameroon, women were trained by Operations reported a lower level of education and health
outreach volunteers, community In Chad, India, Nigeria and Uganda, services.
management structures. UNHCR and partners in prevention and participation for women with a disability
2019 result: 56. mobilizers and gender support groups to UNHCR and partners focused on women response to gender-based violence, child and for indigenous women. UNHCR will
enhance access to information on and girls’ self-determination and the protection and services for persons at invest in paying more attention to
COVID-19 preventive measures, including full exercise of their rights to ensure heightened risk. In Rwanda, women overlapping vulnerabilities and ensuring
addressing social stigma and providing equal and meaningful participation in refugee leaders strengthened their an intersectional approach to its work
psychosocial support.

Women and women-led organizations

decision-making processes. Stronger
participation of women and girls in
advocacy skills and created a forum to
bolster their leadership within camp
with women and girls. Complementary
measures such as positive masculinity-
5 Women and girls
have access
to comprehensive
played a crucial role in the mitigation of leadership and management structures management structures. In the United related initiatives for boys and men are gender-based
violence prevention
the COVID-19 crisis. UNHCR strengthened was achieved in IDP operations in Republic of Tanzania, elections were also necessary to rebalance power and response
community-based self-management Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, organized for vacant positions in three relationships. services.

structures and empowered women with Myanmar, South Sudan and Yemen. camps shortly after COVID-19 restrictions

190 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 191
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S

guaranteeing their access to national Non-Governmental Organizations of

protection systems and services for Persons with Disabilities and their
persons with disabilities. Families (RIADIS) conducted a regional
assessment on the situation of refugees
In support of this continued operational
and asylum-seekers with disabilities in

ydfydfdxf
disability inclusion work, UNHCR
the Americas.
developed a baseline report on the
UN Disability Inclusion Strategy In Ethiopia, UNHCR supported three
accountability framework and a organizations of persons with disabilities
cross-divisional five-year action plan on in Aw-barre, Shedder and Kebribeyah
disability inclusion to advance the rights camps to conduct sensitization sessions
of persons with disabilities across its on COVID-19 prevention and response
workforce and operations. The action and engage in income-generating
plan will be implemented in collaboration activities.

Protecting persons with disabilities with the International Disability Alliance

(IDA), a global network of organizations of Challenges and unmet needs

and older persons persons with disabilities, through a new

partnership developed in 2020. Three
Beyond the disproportionally deadly
effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on older
© UNHCR/Anil Usyan regional consultations were organized persons and persons with disabilities,
to ensure the active engagement of related job losses, school dropouts and
IDA’s regional and board members rising poverty rates also had a greater
An internally displaced woman weaves a carpet in Balkh Province, Afghanistan.
and additional consultations and joint impact. The disruption or closure of key
collaborations with organizations of services such as medical support for
persons with disabilities took place in chronic conditions, rehabilitation services
Results and achievements households with persons with disabilities,
Ecuador, Ethiopia, Mexico and Spain. and access to assistive devices limited
including protection, rehabilitation, access
An estimated 12 million persons with their autonomy and impacted their
to assistive devices, and home-based UNHCR also updated its guidance on
disabilities and 3.2 million older persons education. In addition, at least wellbeing. School closures and the
working with older persons in forced
36 operations reported were among those forcibly displaced by 3,474 children with disabilities were increasing use of the digital space to
progress in the percentage displacement and developed guidance
of older persons of concern persecution, violence and human rights helped to access education through access education and job opportunities,
to enhance identification and registration
who received services for violations. financial support, adapted learning as well as basic information and services,
their needs. 2019 result: 30. of persons with disabilities and other
podcasts, WhatsApp channels, and increased the risk of exclusion of persons
Despite the challenges of identifying data collection initiatives.
home-based education. with disabilities and older persons living
persons with disabilities and older
in refugee settings as evidenced by
persons, made worse by the COVID-19 In Zimbabwe, for instance, four female Operational highlights
previous research conducted by UNHCR
pandemic, UNHCR’s operations provided and three male pre-school refugee Persons with disabilities and their and partners. To respond to this reality,
targeted services for at least learners with a hearing impairment representative organizations were UNHCR launched a call for proposals to
55,672 adults with disabilities,
51 operations reported
7,948 children with disabilities and
began sign language lessons. Women actively engaged in the development of strengthen digital inclusion of refugees
progress in the percentage with disabilities received accessible accessible materials and awareness with disabilities as of 2021.
of people of concern with 19,739 older persons. 3,749 households information on gender-based violence
disabilities who received sessions on COVID-19 and gender-based
services for their needs. with adults and children with disabilities prevention and response in the
2019 result: 49. violence prevention and response, using
and 885 households with older persons Americas, Kenya and Zimbabwe and visual storytelling, photos, banners and
received targeted cash assistance, training in business management and radio announcements and producing
COVID-19 prevention items, food entrepreneurship in Djibouti. Over
accessible videos in sign language.
packages, medication and disability- 1,100 shelter and water, hygiene and
related items (including solar lotion for sanitation facilities were upgraded in In Ecuador, UNHCR adapted its
persons with albinism). UNHCR organized Brazil, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Sudan and information materials and communication
6 regional workshops over 11,000 targeted home visits and Zimbabwe to ensure accessibility for channels to ensure accessibility for
organized bringing together almost 10,000 rehabilitation sessions persons with disabilities. Following persons with disabilities, developing
UNHCR and local or regional
organizations of persons respecting COVID-19 protective advocacy efforts from UNHCR, Cameroon printed materials in braille as well easy
with disabilities, including
measures. Tele-counselling sessions were and Tunisia provided disability cards to to read leaflets. Furthermore, UNHCR
refugees and IDPs with
disabilities Target: 3. held to ensure continuity of services for refugees and asylum-seekers, and the Latin American Network of

192 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 193
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I S A F E G UA R D I N G F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S

UNHCR encouraged the participation of community centre for LGBTIQ+ persons

LGBTIQ+ persons in decision-making by at risk, reached over 1,735 people with
creating safe and welcoming spaces and UNHCR financial and technical support.
open dialogue with LGBTIQ+ groups. Together with Organización Diálogo
In Lebanon, an LGBTIQ+ youth group Diverso, an organization supporting

ydfydfdxf was created and provided peer-to-peer

support, building life skills and greater
LGBTIQ+ rights, and in coordination with
the local government, UNHCR strengthened
access to protection assistance and institutional capacity to work with
solutions. LGBTIQ+ people and to provide
psychosocial assistance to LGBTIQ+
UNHCR organized a Training of Trainers
persons at risk.
and developed an online course on
working with LGBTIQ+ persons in forced
Challenges and unmet needs
displacement. In Côte d’Ivoire, UNHCR

Protecting LGBTIQ+ persons trained authorities on working with Despite significant progress, LGBTIQ+
asylum claims linked to sexual orientation persons of concern face violence and

in forced displacement
and gender identity. discrimination in many parts of the world
and remain a largely under-identified
UNHCR also organized three regional and
© UNHCR/Jaime Giménez population, with few targeted programmes
global consultations to map protection and interventions. The pandemic
stakeholders, analyze gaps and identify exacerbated their protection needs and
Venezuelan LGBTIQ+ refugees practise using UNHCR’s new WhatsApp channel during a workshop in Quito, Ecuador. promising practices. These consultations limited the ability of humanitarian actors
brought together stakeholders from the to identify and refer them to existing
humanitarian and development sectors, services. UNHCR continued to invest in
Results and achievements regularly reach out to LGBTIQ+ refugees civil society and LGBTIQ+ led organizations. partnerships with LGBTIQ+ supported
and asylum-seekers, providing legal The results will inform a global roundtable
LGBTIQ+ persons continued to experience organizations and collaborated with
advice on their asylum applications, event on “Protection and solutions for
discrimination and abuse on a daily basis them to establish safe and effective
extend psychosocial support networks LGBTIQ+ persons in forced displacement”,
3 regional consultations in 2020. This discrimination—often and conduct confidential referrals to
referral pathways; however building
organized to better assess to be co-convened with OHCHR in the such partnerships with national and
protection risks and priorities exacerbated by displacement and by vetted landlords, health care providers second half of 2021. international actors requires further
of LGBTIQ+ persons in forced age, gender, disability, race and other and targeted financial support
displacement. 2019 results: 5.
characteristics that intersect with sexual investment. Building the capacity of
mechanisms. Counsellors are also made Operational highlights
orientation and gender identity—was UNHCR staff, partners, service providers
available through phones, e-mail and
aggravated by the pandemic, with In the Americas, UNHCR supported and asylum adjudicators in this area also
SMS, ensuring regular access to accurate
LGBTIQ+ persons often lacking access to national and local NGOs to establish a requires significant investment. While
information and ways to raise concerns
information and basic support services. regional network for the protection of identified LGBTIQ+ refugees most at risk
and obtain feedback.
The psychological impact of isolation and LGBTIQ+ refugees, asylum-seekers and are prioritized for refugee status
the socioeconomic consequences of To support meaningful inclusion of determination and resettlement, shrinking
21 UNHCR and partner staff LGBTIQ+ displaced people in national
IDPs. Across the region, 152 support spaces
resettlement opportunities means more
benefited from the Training of COVID-19 added to the already difficult offered by more than 17 organizations were
Trainers learning programme
reality for forcibly displaced LGBTIQ+ systems, UNHCR engaged in coordination set up along routes out of the Bolivarian effort must be dedicated to identifying
“Working with LGBTIQ+
persons in forced displacement”. persons. and advocacy with various stakeholders. Republic of Venezuela and into Brazil, alternatives, including complementary
2019 result: 50. In Europe, UNHCR worked with the Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In pathways and carefully crafted integration
In response, UNHCR collaborated with European Asylum Support Office (EASO) strategies. Lack of sustainable livelihoods
these support spaces, LGBTIQ+ persons
LGBTIQ+ led organizations to reach out to raise awareness on challenges facing for LGBTIQ+ people remains an obstacle.
received information, orientation, wireless
to LGBTIQ+ displaced persons and ensure LGBTIQ+ persons seeking asylum in
connectivity, psychological first aid,
their access to accurate information and Europe. In West and Central Africa,
health assistance, safe access to water,
feedback mechanisms. In Bangladesh, UNHCR and OHCHR worked with the
sanitation and hygiene services, and
UNHCR partnered with organizations African Union and the Economic
found safe spaces for women and children.
trusted by LGBTIQ+ communities to help Community of West African States to
LGBTIQ+ people living in Cox’s Bazar ensure the needs of LGBTIQ+ people of In Ecuador, UNHCR supported LGBTIQ+
safely access protection and health concern were included in the COVID-19 organizations and community groups.
services. In Turkey, UNHCR partners response. Fundación Equidad, a safe shelter and

194 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 195
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T

In 2020, the pandemic exacerbated Despite unprecedented global restrictions

Responding
existing humanitarian challenges. More on travel and transportation of goods and
than 85% of refugees were hosted in additional staff safety and health risks,
low- and middle-income countries. UNHCR continued to respond to major

with life-saving
COVID-19 preparedness and response displacement emergencies such as those
dominated UNHCR’s activities. The High in Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mozambique,
Commissioner declared a global Level 2 Nagorno-Karabakh and the Sahel.
Emergency, activating emergency Its timely, field-oriented support included

support
procedures and providing more flexibility to over 300 emergency deployments of
country teams on procurement, partnership UNHCR and partner staff and shipment of
and staffing issues. The Inter-Agency more than $36 million worth of core relief
Standing Committee adopted system-wide items and other critical goods from global
scale-up protocols. UNHCR faced multiple stockpiles. UNHCR continued systematic
challenges: refugees and IDPs, in both efforts to prepare for conflict-induced
camp and urban settings, often have emergencies in a complex, multi-hazard
inadequate housing, crowded living environment, ensuring operational capacity
conditions, lack of access to clean water, to assist and protect people in need, while
and weak health infrastructure. COVID-19 taking into account access constraints,
increased their vulnerability as many lost climate risks, security considerations and
jobs, adding to health and protection risks, impact of the pandemic. These activities
including gender-based violence. were closely coordinated with other
UN agencies and NGOs via Inter-Agency
UNHCR built up the capacity of government
Standing Committee mechanisms such as
and partner staff to conduct surveillance,
the Emergency Directors’ Group.
contact tracing and case management, and
provided personal protective equipment This chapter outlines UNHCR’s emergency
(PPE), medicines, oxygen, rapid testing kits preparedness and response in 2020 and
and other supplies. It procured $186.1 million its principled, comprehensive and prompt
worth of PPE, critical items and services to life-saving interventions. It details the key
help its operations fight COVID-19. UNHCR achievements, operational highlights and
repaired, upgraded and extended shelters to major challenges in meeting the most
reduce population density, providing almost urgent humanitarian and protection needs
1.8 million people with emergency shelters of refugees and IDPs, as well as those of
and 500,000 with transitional shelters. the communities hosting them.
UNHCR developed context-specific
guidance to support national responses,
In this chapter
particularly with setting up emergency
hospitals, quarantine, isolation and testing • Emergency preparedness and response
areas, and expansion of medical facilities to
• Global supply management
create additional space for triage and
ydfydfdxf testing. It provided over 100 health care
facilities and 95 schools with additional
• Cash assistance
• Public health
WASH facilities, distributing 50 million • Mental health and psychosocial support
bars of soap, as well as hand sanitizer and
• Gender-based violence: prevention, risk
disinfectant, to over 60 UNHCR operations.
mitigation and response
Thousands of handwashing facilities were
installed in public spaces, schools, health • Nutrition and food security
care facilities and private accommodation. • Water, sanitation and hygiene
Refugees from the Central African Republic queue up to
collect core relief items from UNHCR in Yakoma, in the UNHCR scaled up cash assistance, • Shelter and settlements
Democratic Republic of the Congo, while observing distributing nearly $700 million to 8.5 million
COVID-19 prevention measures.
© UNHCR/Hélène Caux people to mitigate the pandemic’s impact.

196 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 197
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T

UNHCR standby partners

In 2020, UNHCR maintained 18 active emergency response partnerships:

ydfydfdxf 150 UNHCR emergency

staff deployed.
CANADEM DEMA DRC DSB DSS water
International Civilian Danish Emergency Danish Refugee Council The Norwegian Directorate Dutch Surge Support, Emergency.lu Target: 170. 2019 result: 167.
Response Corps, Canada Management Agency for Civil Protection Netherlands Enterprise Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Agency Luxembourg

IHP iMMAP Irish Aid MSB NRC RedR Australia

International Humanitarian Department of Foreign Swedish Civil Norwegian Refugee
Partnership Affairs, Ireland Contingencies Agency Council, including NORCAP

Emergency preparedness and response

© UNHCR/Marios Andriotis Konstantios Save the Children SDC THW UK aid Veolia
White Helmets
Commission
169 UNHCR standby
partners deployed.
Target: 130. 2019 result: 102.
Norway Swiss Agency for German Federal Agency for Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Development Cooperation Technical Relief Argentina

UNHCR supports winter preparations at Kara Tepe emergency site on Lesvos Island, Greece.

complex emergency responses and developing a security-compliant

supporting UNHCR operations. construction system, and overseeing
Global Strategic Priorities Results and achievements Safety and security
Emergency preparedness delivery of building materials and
and response In response to the L2 emergency in
During 2020, UNHCR activated 10 new UNHCR’s security workforce, made up construction work.
See p. 16 for GSP result
emergency situations at L3, L2 and L1
Sudan, an emergency response team 722 UNHCR staff/partners
of 88 international and more than trained in emergency
(including WASH, registration, shelter UNHCR strove to improve the gender
level, affecting 26 countries. In addition, 250 national security professionals, management/leadership,
and site planning specialists) arrived in balance of its security staff. Prior to 2020, security management
the Office declared a L2 global played an important role in UNHCR’s procedures/awareness,
eastern Chad to support UNHCR staff 18 female security officers (national and situation emergency, and
emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. ability to deliver in high-risk duty stations.
with reception of refugees in border international), represented only 8% of inter-agency emergency
Security missions were undertaken in exercises.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly areas. As a result, 7,000 refugees were UNHCR’s security workforce, and Target: 350. 2019 result: 1,094.
several countries including Ethiopia, relocated to a newly built camp where initiatives are underway to redress that
impeded UNHCR’s ability to deploy staff
Mozambique and the Sahel region. they received assistance, health services imbalance. The recruitment of four female
to new emergencies. However, the pace
of emergency deployments increased in Maintaining a robust training programme and protection. UNHCR instituted security officers in 2020 increased the
the second half of the year, when staff remained key to field security work. COVID-19 prevention and response total to 22, or 12%, with a long way to go.
movements were hampered by pre- In 2020, over 3,000 UNHCR and measures at border areas and in the
mission COVID-19 testing, quarantine almost 500 partner staff were trained camp. Clear messages were shared Challenges and unmet needs
requirements and reduced air transport. on security-related topics, including with local authorities and communities
As well as bringing disruption, the
Some deployments started remotely until the Security Management Learning about key principles of refugee
pandemic quickened efforts to transfer
64% of high-risk countries
travel was possible, and standby partners Programme and Women’s Security protection, such as non-refoulement in compliance with

Awareness Training. UNHCR’s security knowledge to new regional structures on preparedness reporting in
were asked to identify in-country and non-discrimination. accordance with UNHCR’s
workforce responded to 298 security emergency preparedness, emergency High Alert List for Emergency
international experts. Overall, UNHCR
incidents and supported managers and In Somalia, UNHCR security specialists partnerships, procurement and logistics Preparedness (HALEP).
facilitated 319 deployments, including Target: 100%. 2019 result: 81%.
staff on 13 critical incidents in 2020, supported an extensive project that and security management. COVID-19
150 UNHCR staff and 169 external staff
fulfilled a duty-of-care obligation to brought upheaval to travel plans and
working for emergency standby partners. coordinating with the UN Department
protect UNHCR staff and others: the training but spurred innovation, and rapid
of Safety and Security in New York
Face-to-face training in emergency development of a new office and development of online alternatives kept
and government personnel.
preparedness and response was accommodation site for UNHCR’s Somalia training activities as interactive as
cancelled and swiftly converted into operation, which was operating from possible. But some activities, such as
Operational highlights
online learning, and 90 UNHCR and a cramped compound that had been women’s security awareness training,
In 2020, despite COVID-19, the targeted by mortar fire. As well as
31 partner staff were trained. UNHCR needed face-to-face interaction and were
50% of HALEP red-rated
developed an online alternative for eight-person full-time emergency response risk analysis, UNHCR staff played an largely put on hold, and some planned countries had a preparedness
action plan and received
emergency simulation exercises for the team spent 738 person-days on important role in identifying a site, missions to conduct oversight and targeted support.
2021 emergency roster cohort. emergency missions in the field, leading designing the compound layout, compliance reviews were also cancelled. Target: 100%. 2019 result: 20%.

198 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 199
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T

Global supply management UNHCR prioritized the practice of

secondary bidding for high-value orders
and jointly develop mitigating measures.
UNHCR also started the audit of factories
GLOBAL CRIs SUPPLY and shipment of CRIs procured through in India, ensuring all CRI manufacturers
global frame agreements. Secondary will have been audited at least once by
$36.2 million worth of CRIs were dispatched, serving 139 in April 2020 to streamline and expedite bidding is a solicitation exercise whereby the first quarter of 2021. 58.3 million
requests refugees, IDPs and migrants
joint procurement of common pandemic- suppliers holding already established particularly vulnerable to the
related supplies. It also established To enhance the supply chain, UNHCR pandemic received COVID-19
frame agreements with set prices are
stockpiles in Dubai and Accra to supply started developing a shipment tracking assistance.
invited to further bid their best and final
UNHCR carried out operations with PPE and other vital system, rolled out logistics frame
offers for the required goods and
agreements to field offices, and created
22 600,000+ 72 COVID-19 supplies on demand. services. This approach results in
Emergency airlifts, supplied people within HOURS data dashboards to help operations
Despite the pressures of COVID-19, significantly lower prices, thereby freeing
monitor their supply performance related
by air by sea by road UNHCR’s supply chain did not stop resources to serve more people in need.
to the COVID-19 response. To improve
As a result, in 2020 secondary bidding
responding to new and ongoing
cut the cost of centrally procured CRIs by
forecasting, the roll-out for Demantra $36.2 million
1,000 4,800 Tons emergencies, dispatching $36.2 million (a demand management and supply worth of core relief items
16% ($18 million) compared to the lowest dispatched from global
2,100 Tons
Tons
worth of emergency core relief items chain management tool) was completed; stockpiles to 43 countries.
frame agreement price.
(CRIs) from its strategically located global the tool is used by 56 operations. Target: $33 million.
2019 result: $30 million.
stockpiles (GSM), serving 139 requests.
Operational highlights
Tents Solar lamps Plastic tarpaulins 1,000 tons of CRIs were shipped by air, Challenges and unmet needs
107K 600K 1.6M 2,100 tons by sea and 4,800 tons by road. UNHCR reinforced its operational
COVID-19 and its associated challenges,
Kitchen sets Blankets Buckets UNHCR carried out 22 airlifts (11 from capacity with virtual supply missions,
as well as other new emergencies, further
755K 3M 1M GSMs) for recipients in Bangladesh, field procurement support and training.
highlighted the need for sustained
Burkina Faso, Chad, the Islamic Republic To ensure a broad range of qualified
availability of expert supply workforce
600,000+ people
Jerry cans Sleeping mats Mosquito nets
of Iran, Liberia, Somalia and Sudan. supply staff, UNHCR conducted more
380K 1.6M 1.5M Global stocks were regularly replenished
as part of global workforce planning, of concern received core relief
than 350 functional clearances items in emergency-affected
supported by increased capacity building
to cover the urgent needs of up to (assessments, testing and interview countries. Target: 600,000.
and an end-to-end process on supply 2019 result: 600,000.
600,000 people within 72 hours. UNHCR processes) for supply positions worldwide.
chain management.
added an eighth global stockpile in
A compliance workshop was organized
Panama to its existing seven, to enhance
to sensitize participants from almost
Global Strategic Priorities
Emergency preparedness
Results and achievements emergency response in the Americas.
20 operations to supply-related risks
and response
See p. 16 for GSP result Efficient and agile service delivery to To maximize the potential of the supply
emergencies was paramount in 2020
as the pandemic created global supply
chain, UNHCR proactively engaged
64 million medical
with sister agencies and partners, masks (surgical N95/FFP2)
shortages and brought transport collaborating through the Logistics procured.

networks to the brink of collapse. Cluster, the UN Procurement Network

UNHCR responded to COVID-19 by and the UN Global Marketplace. UNHCR
Qatar Airways and UPS

© UNHCR
procuring personal protective equipment increased piggybacking—using long-term Foundation help deliver aid
(PPE), critical items and services worth agreements established by other for forcibly displaced people
$186.1 million and delivering UN organizations—by more than 20%
In 2020, UNHCR and Qatar Airways signed a
such supplies to 95 operations. compared to 2019, resulting in increased two-year partnership. The company will provide 5.6 million
gowns procured.
UNHCR expedited and centralized efficiency, active collaboration, better free transport services to deliver humanitarian
service delivery and cost-effective cargo under its “WeQare” programme. UNHCR
procurement, ramped up logistics support
has also a long-standing partnership with
at the operational and regional levels, tendering. UNHCR also provided contract The UPS Foundation, which provides assistance
and diversified its suppliers and delivery administration for over 400 global frame in emergency response, logistics, transport,
channels. agreements, while procurement value capacity-building, as well as in areas such as
increased from $1.14 billion in 2019 to health and protection. The partnerships with
The UPS Foundation and Qatar Airways are key
It participated in the creation of the UN $1.37 billion in 2020, excluding cash to enhancing UNHCR’s capacity to respond 8 global stockpiles of core
COVID-19 Supply Chain Task Force, set up relief items maintained.
assistance. to emergencies. Target: 7. 2019 result: 7.

200 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 201
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T

ydfydfdxf (PDM) tool. In a PDM analysis most cash

recipients reported high satisfaction with
were created by the bank, assigned to
vulnerable beneficiaries by UNHCR’s
cash assistance during the pandemic, partner and communicated by phone,
reporting that they could find what they unlocking payments without the need to
needed in the market and that cash had meet in person or find an open bank branch.
100 country operations
implemented cash assistance.
alleviated the impact of COVID-19. 2019 result: 100.

Challenges and unmet needs

Operational highlights
Despite the growth of cash assistance,
UNHCR distributed emergency major gaps remained in 2020. In post-
$75 grants through Pakistan’s Post Office distribution monitoring globally, 74% of

Cash assistance
© UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
to over 216,000 refugees, mitigating the
repercussions of COVID-19 and ensuing
respondents said they could meet only
half of their basic needs or less. In Jordan,
5,500 UNHCR staff
trained in cash assistance.
lockdowns. UNHCR’s cash assistance was 64% said they could not afford enough 2019 result: 5,000.

set up in close coordination with the food, 27% struggled to pay their rent, and
Sofia Ahmed, a 26-year-old asylum-seeker from Somalia, receives her cash card at the Urban Cash Centre in Athens, Greece. Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees 31% could not pay health costs. 60% of
and mirrored the grants paid to vulnerable respondents had borrowed money in the
Pakistani citizens under the Government’s four weeks prior to data collection.
Global Strategic Priorities Results and achievements new cash grants and targeting criteria to Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme.
To address some of the main challenges
Cash assistance
See p. 13 for GSP result assist vulnerable populations, as well as 18 countries allowed people
2020 marked the culmination of UNHCR’s WFP and UNHCR provided one-time in attaining system-wide efficiency in cash of concern to access formal
exit strategies and complaint/feedback financial services and benefit
five-year “Strategy for the mobile money assistance to all urban assistance, UNHCR will work toward
mechanisms. from the use of cash to
institutionalization of cash-based refugees in Kampala, where COVID-19 achieving the UN Common Cash promote longer-term solutions
and inclusion. Target: 15.
interventions”, which aimed to make Financial and digital inclusion is a vital restrictions prevented casual work and Statement and build upon progress made
UNHCR’s operations consider cash component of protection and fostering triggered negative coping strategies. in the seven focus countries: Afghanistan,
systematically and use it as the means self-reliance and resilience, but refugees A PDM survey showed two thirds of Bangladesh, the Central African Republic,
of transfer whenever appropriate, are often excluded from governments’ recipients had started using their savings. the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
doubling cash assistance by 2020. social assistance efforts. Cash assistance 95% said the payment had reduced their Ecuador, Niger and Yemen. These
complements government support with financial burden and 60% reported recent countries have launched joint procurement
Despite the difficulties of face-to-face
a safety net for vulnerable refugees and price rises for commodities such as rice for financial service providers, joint cash 57 contracts signed with
$695 million of transactions in 2020, UNHCR achieved
others of concern. In the COVID-19 and beans. The cash assistance, which 74% feasibility and risk assessments, and joint
financial providers.
cash assistance delivered to this goal and its Grand Bargain 800
of refugees could withdraw within 1 km of post-distribution
$682 monitoring.

Millions
people of concern across all response, UNHCR aligned cash $695
operations. Target: $588 million. commitment, distributing $695 million 700 $646
assistance (mostly transfer values but also their home, mainly went towards food, rent,
2019 result: $650 million. to 8.57 million people, a total of around UNHCR
600 will continue using
$568cash
for urgent
other elements such as eligibility criteria) health costs, utilities, fuel and hygiene items. $496
$3 billion to more than 25 million people basic
500 needs and to build sustainable and
with government schemes in several $358
in over 100 countries since 2016. In Ecuador, COVID-19 prompted UNHCR to inclusive
400 support for refugees,
countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan,
The strategy has transformed UNHCR’s Costa Rica, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan,
switch from cash-in-hand payments to underpinned
300 by financial inclusion and 24 countries strengthened
partnerships and collaborative
withdrawals via the national ATM network, transitional
200 safety nets, and aligned with
use of cash assistance. In 2016, digital Peru, and to some extent in Rwanda and approaches to cash
using a code but no bank card. The codes national
100 social protection schemes. assistance. Target: 20.
payments to refugees, including access Uganda. In addition, UNHCR provided
8.57 million to bank and or mobile money, were limited cash for livelihoods in 52 operations to
0
refugees, IDPs and other 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
to a few countries. In 2020, refugees in prevent refugees being forced to sell CASH ASSISTANCE | 2015-2020 CASH ASSISTANCE BY SECTOR
people of concern received
2015-2020
cash assistance related to 47 countries got digital payments, 32% productive assets to shore up household
the impact of COVID-19 in 800
in the form of mobile money. budgets. 68% 15% 11% 6%
Millions

2020
100 countries. $682 $695
700 $646
2019 60% 24% 8% 8%
The pandemic spurred UNHCR to rapidly By the end of 2020, 14 operations (Brazil, 600
$568
$496
scale up its cash assistance programmes. Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Costa Rica, the 500
2018 58% 24% 9% 9%

In collaboration with governments and Democratic Republic of the Congo, $358

400 2017 66% 17% 7% 11%
other partners, more than 65 UNHCR Ethiopia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, 300
2016 67% 3% 29%
operations launched new cash initiatives Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Rwanda and 200
80% of UNHCR’s cash and expanded or adapted existing cash Zambia) were using UNHCR’s CashAssist 100
2015 69% 17% 14%

assistance disbursed assistance. They introduced new cash management system and 60 were 0
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
electronically.
2019 result: 80%. approaches and technology and designed using the post-distribution monitoring 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Basic needs Seasonal grants Life-saving support Solutions

202 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 203
2020 68% 15% 11% 6%
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T

By the end of 2020, 27% of refugee- 24,000 outreach volunteers worked

hosting countries included refugees in closely with UNHCR and partners and
their national health insurance schemes 66,000 visits were conducted to support 9.89 million
people of concern received

ydfydfdxf
on the same basis as nationals. While families in remote areas and other people essential health care services
in 68 countries.
much needs to be done, an encouraging with specific needs.
survey of 48 refugee-hosting countries
In 20 refugee camps in Chad, a three-
found 89.6% of refugees living with HIV
month supply of ART was given to refugees
could get antiretroviral treatment (ART)
and host community members living with
through national health systems. UNHCR
supported HIV-related activities in more
HIV through community-based distribution, 1,235,111 women
using counsellors to reduce the need for and girls accessed sexual and
than 50 countries, helping HIV services reproductive health services
monthly clinic visits. A WhatsApp group in 51 countries.
for populations of concern to continue
for psychosocial counsellors was created,
during the pandemic. As a co-sponsor
and nearly 1,000 refugees living with HIV
of UNAIDS, UNHCR worked with partners
benefited from the remote communication

Public health at national, regional and global levels

to scale up services available to
and support.
© UNHCR/ Samuel Otieno adolescents, to improve health and 41,401 reported
Challenges and unmet needs COVID-19 cases among
protection services for people who sell people of concern.
or exchange sex, and to strengthen UNHCR made it a priority to ensure 401 reported COVID-19
A health worker attends to 23-year-old Burundian refugee Ishimagizwe Eliana after she delivered her baby girl at Natukobenyo health clinic in Kalobeyei related deaths among
settlement, Kenya. tuberculosis programming and linkages continuation of care and health service people of concern.
with HIV care. UNHCR provided funds to provision to refugees during the
15 country operations while 23 country COVID-19 pandemic. It adapted to ensure
Global Strategic Priorities
Under-five-mortality rate
Results and achievements Dedicated safe delivery areas for
operations mobilized additional UNAIDS continued access to pre- and postnatal
See p. 13 for GSP result COVID-19 positive women allowed
Faced with COVID-19, UNHCR supported resources at country level to advance HIV care, delivery by skilled attendant, family
emergency care to continue, while 92%
governments and partners to bolster
of births were attended by a skilled birth
related services for refugees. Sexual and planning, adolescent sexual and 89.6% of refugee-
surveillance, contact tracing and case reproductive health services were scaled reproductive health, and HIV prevention, hosting countries provided
attendant. In line with the Sustainable treatment for HIV to refugees
management, providing PPE, medicines, up for adolescents and young women treatment and related care. Despite these through national programmes.
Development Goals’ focus on reducing
rapid testing kits and oxygen in Malawi and harm reduction services additional measures, UNHCR’s Health Target: 100%. 2019 result: 89.6%.
maternal and newborn mortality, and
concentrators. UNHCR worked with were provided to people who inject Information System showed lower
access to modern contraceptive methods, drugs in Pakistan. In South Sudan, over
national health counterparts to strengthen utilization of health services for refugees,
UNHCR, with support from the Bill and 13,000 people received HIV counselling with 6,219,345 outpatient consultations,
health infrastructure, supporting intensive
Melinda Gates Foundation, implemented and testing and nearly 50,000 people 13% down from 2019. The number of
care units, creating isolation and
high-impact maternal and neonatal
0.19 under-5 mortality treatment units as well as ensuring benefited from HIV awareness-raising measles vaccinations administered to 97.7% of refugee-
refugee communities were informed health interventions in 31 health sessions, while in Uganda more than children under 5 decreased by 9.5% hosting countries provided
rate (per 1,000 under-5s per treatment for tuberculosis to
month) in refugee camps.
about how to mitigate the risks. Together facilities in Cameroon, Chad and Niger. 1.5 million condoms were distributed, to 113,780. refugees through national
Target: <1.5. 2019 result: 0.3.
with UN and NGO partners, UNHCR The programme supported more than more than 180,000 people received HIV programmes. Target: 100%.

8,300 mothers and their newborns UNHCR continues to advocate for the 2019 result: 97.7%.
worked with Ministries of Health to counselling and over 1,800 cases of TB
in 2020. inclusion of refugees and others of
implement COVID-19 preparedness and were identified and initiated on treatment.
concern in national vaccination plans.
response plans, addressing the health of Advocacy with national governments and
Data from iRHIS showed under-5 mortality By December 2020, 52% of countries
people of concern, including nutrition, international donors has increasingly
averaged 0.19 deaths per 1,000 under-5s had included refugees in their national
0.11 crude mortality rate sexual and reproductive health, HIV, and per month across 158 sites in 19 countries,
given people of concern access to HIV
COVID-19 vaccination plans. UNHCR is 78% of refugee-hosting
(per 1,000 people per month).
mental health and psychosocial support. services under the same conditions
2019 result: 0.12. down from 0.30 in 2019 and within the a member of the Inter-Agency Standing countries included refugees
as nationals. within their national human
UNHCR supported 9.89 million people standard of 1.5 deaths. Sites in Yemen, Committee Working Group that worked papilloma virus vaccination
programme. Target: 90%.
with essential health care, adapting Zambia and the United Republic of with GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and
Operational highlights 2019 result: 78%.
services with physical distancing, hand Tanzania reported the highest rates, the COVAX Facility on the allocation of
hygiene points, telephone consultations— at 1.98, 0.55 and 0.39 respectively. In Europe, refugee health workers were vaccines as a “humanitarian buffer” of last
especially for mental health and The average crude mortality rate was involved in national COVID-19 responses, resort, with up to 100 million doses for
92% of births (104,618) 0.11 deaths per 1,000 total population with increasing employment of refugee populations not included in national
were attended by skilled non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and
birth attendants in UNHCR
provision of several months of NCD/HIV per month, similar to the 0.12 reported doctors and health workers. Across the vaccine orders.
refugee camps. Target: 95%.
Middle East and North Africa, over
147,624 measles
2019 result: 93.5%. medicines at once. in 2019. vaccinations given.

204 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 205
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T

It is important to communicate clearly Operational highlights

about risks and how people can protect
Many local UNHCR offices and partners
themselves. In Bangladesh, UNHCR and
acted to fortify the mental health of
Translators without Borders made audio
versions of the inter-agency children’s
humanitarian responders during the 647,068 refugees
and other people of concern
pandemic, including refugee volunteers.
book My hero is you to help community provided with mental health
In Egypt, UNHCR’s partner PSTIC and psychosocial support
outreach volunteers explain to children

ydfydfdxf
services in 75 countries.
offered support and appreciation to
about COVID-19 in Rohingya, Burmese
its staff, mostly refugees themselves,
and Bangla languages. Many UNHCR
who ran a nightly DJ or comedy show.
operations set up or expanded helplines
All psychosocial workers had regular
to keep in contact with people of concern
individual online supervision and a
and link those in need to available
monthly online support group.
services. In Iraq, UNHCR provided training
on remote psychosocial support to the In Greece, refugees and asylum-seekers
helpline operators of the Iraq Information were trained as paraprofessionals to 137,880 consultations
Centre, a nationwide telephone service
Mental health and
provided for mental health,
address psychosocial needs, bridging
neurological and substance
that provides information and referral national mental health and social services use conditions in refugee
assistance to IDPs and refugees. In Niger, and staffing helplines in Arabic, English, health facilities.

psychosocial support
2019 result: 161,137.
more than 300 responders (UNHCR Farsi and Greek, offering psychosocial
and partners) were trained online in support, information about COVID-19,
© UNHCR/ Diego Ibarra Sánchez
psychological first aid, a set of skills to liaising with protection services, and
provide supportive and practical help providing referrals to psychological or
Syrian refugee Fahima Al-Daher leaves the Makhzoumi Foundation in Beirut with her daughter, who is getting psychological support at the foundation after to people suffering crisis events. psychiatric specialists.
the port explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.
Where remote support was not practical
or possible, wider use of community-
Challenges and unmet needs
Results and achievements of concern with mental health and based workers and adapted facility-based Despite efforts to adapt to COVID-19, 35% of countries hosting
more than 50,000 refugees
psychosocial issues. In 2020, care allowed person-to-person support mental health consultations decreased
COVID-19 disrupted social support had a multisectoral technical
647,068 people were supported in six to continue. Physical distancing and everywhere except in the United Republic working group for mental
systems, devastated incomes and health and psychosocial
overarching areas: restrictions on movement made of Tanzania and Yemen. Overall, there support.
livelihood opportunities, and heightened
psychotherapy difficult, and some were 137,880 consultations, 14% down
anxieties about falling ill. For those already • Community messaging about coping
group-based therapies had to be stopped from 2019. While innovative methods
dealing with the stress of being uprooted, with distress; or adapted. were employed to support people of
this created an added psychological
• Training first responders in concern, the inability to physically interact
burden. Many who previously coped well In Colombia, UNHCR provided telephone
psychological first aid and basic made it hard to provide the support
were less able to cope with the multiple and face-to-face psychosocial care,
psychosocial skills; required. The pandemic will continue
stressors generated by the pandemic, including for persons with disabilities,
to affect people’s mental well-being,
which abruptly raised new threats to referring them when necessary for
• Providing psychological support
hospital consultations, psychiatric
especially if socioeconomic repercussions 29% of refugee
freedom of movement, social support through helplines; continue. UNHCR will keep mental health operations introduced

systems, education and social contact. assessment and access to controlled evidence-based psychological
and psychosocial support at the forefront treatments.
• Increasing capacity to provide medications.
Women and children especially faced of its response.
psychological therapies for refugees; In Zambia, restrictions on large gatherings
increased protection risks, including
• Ensuring continuation of care forced UNHCR to cancel mental health
intimate partner violence, sexual abuse
for people with mental health training for primary health care staff.
and exploitation. Even the overflow of
Instead, two trainers from the National
information, sometimes contradictory conditions; and
Mental Health Resources Centre in
or false, fuelled stress levels.
• Ensuring people with severe Lusaka travelled to give on-the-job
UNHCR adapted and scaled up its protection risks continue to receive supervision and training in smaller groups,
response to identify and assist people psychosocial support. while observing physical distancing.

206 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 207
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T

recovery. Many operations created or The need to keep services running

expanded communication channels for remotely despite COVID-19 spurred
survivors such as 24/7 emergency innovative approaches. Information
hotlines (e.g. Kenya, Pakistan, South campaigns were developed and

ydfydfdxf Sudan and Zambia). UNHCR and partners

assisted 2 million women and girls via
disseminated via WhatsApp in Mexico,
and internally displaced, stateless and
64,796 reported
gender-based violence
incidents for which survivors
received psychosocial
24/7 gender-based violence hotlines. In refugee communities were reached via counselling.

Colombia remote case management was Instagram, Facebook, and rural radio in 2019 result: 45,557.

provided through 29 information kiosks Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Nigeria
and gender-based violence focal points. and Senegal. More information on field
This required transitioning from in-person practices can be found in the COVID-19
comprehensive case management and gender-based violence protection brief.

Gender-based violence: prevention, services to phone-based services focused

on one-time crisis counselling to connect Challenges and unmet needs
3,297 reported
risk mitigation and response survivors with services for their immediate
needs and safety concerns.
The pandemic limited the capacity to
deliver and access gender-based violence
gender-based violence
incidents for which survivors
received legal assistance.
© UNHCR/ Olivia Acland
prevention, risk mitigation and response 2019 result: 3,308.
In more than three quarters of the
programming. It increased the risks of
63 countries in the Global Humanitarian
A displaced Congolese woman who is getting vocational training and recovering from gender-based violence at the Mary, Mother of Hope Recovery and experiencing intimate partner violence,
Response Plan, UNHCR operations
Reintegration Centre in Kananga, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. sexual violence, child marriage and the
reported that they had maintained or
sale or exchange of sex as a coping
expanded gender-based violence
Global Strategic Priorities
Results and achievements The release of the “UNHCR policy on the mechanism. Despite the increase of
Gender-based violence services in response to COVID-19. A total
prevention, risk mitigation and response gender-based violence during COVID-19-
See p. 13 for GSP result
Gender-based violence is a serious and of 64,796 survivors received psychosocial
related lockdowns, Gender-Based 5,736 reported
to gender-based violence” in October counselling, 3,297 received legal gender-based violence
under-reported human rights violation that Violence Information Management incidents for which survivors
2020 instituted nine core actions to assistance and 5,736 medical assistance. received medical assistance.
disproportionately affects women and System reports showed a general decline
advance quality programming and Through the Safe from the Start 2019 result: 6,745.
girls. COVID-19 dramatically increased the of incident reporting in 2020 across the
coordination across UNHCR. The policy programme, UNHCR deployed senior
risk of gender-based violence, reversing 34 countries using the system. UNHCR
acknowledged that gender-based gender-based violence specialist staff to
important gains in gender equality. The did not meet its target for medical
violence is rooted in the imbalance of 12 operations, including L2 and L3
pandemic put women and girls at greater assistance to be provided to survivors,
power and recognized gender-based emergencies, such as Burkina Faso,
risk of intimate partner violence and mainly due to restrictions on movement.
violence programming as life-saving. Burundi, Mali, Sudan and Yemen.
sexual exploitation due to lockdown Many operations reported disruptions
measures, restrictions of movement and In response to COVID-19, UNHCR
Operational highlights
and significant challenges in accessing 21 displacement situations
economic insecurity. However, it also adapted its gender-based violence gender-based violence services, such as where UNHCR sought to
16.09 million made it harder for them to access programming by strengthening its medical examinations required prior to
improve community
refugees and IDPs had access In many countries, forcibly displaced involvement in preventing
gender-based violence
to protection services,
education, information and services such collaboration with community/women-led women play a leading role in the admission to different shelters, or the refusal
including gender-based and protecting survivors.
violence and child protection as safe houses and case management organizations and local partners, response to gender-based violence. In to receive additional survivors because of 2019 result: 34.
services in 151 countries.
facilities. In many countries, women expanding remote case management the Syrian Arab Republic, UNHCR and its COVID-19 social distancing rules.
subjected to intimate partner violence, services and updating gender-based partners worked with a network of While the need for gender equality and
and LGBTIQ+ people living within non- violence referral pathways to reflect the 91 women to share information on gender-based violence interventions has
accepting households, were confined with pandemic’s impact on survivors’ needs. COVID-19 prevention measures and the never been greater, the pandemic shed
their abusers—presenting life-threatening In Egypt, cash assistance was delivered availability of legal and medical services further light on the chronic and severe
risks combined with a reduced ability as part of holistic gender-based violence for gender-based violence survivors. In under-funding of the gender-based violence
74% of countries (115 of to seek help. It was critical to increase case management programming, which is Malawi, 14 refugee-led community-based
42 displacement situations
155) where gender-based sector in humanitarian settings, with dire where known gender-based
violence services were and adapt gender-based violence designed to respond to the full spectrum violence survivors received
organizations served as community focal consequences for refugee and forcibly
maintained or expanded in appropriate support.
response to COVID-19. programming to respond adequately. of needs survivors face during their points for referral of survivors. displaced women and girls in particular. 2019 result: 50.

208 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 209
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T

target or prioritize assistance to those visits, suspension of mass active case

ydfydfdxf
most in need, with a longer term aim to finding/screening of malnourished
support programming for greater refugee children, suspension of mass/group
inclusion and self-reliance. The hub team nutrition education, suspension of school
provided support to operations in feeding and suspension of SENS surveys 61% of surveyed sites had
acceptable levels of acute
Cameroon, the Democratic Republic were likely to have negative implications. malnutrition (<10%).
of the Congo, Jordan, Mauritania, The pandemic led to some groups such 2019 result: 61%.

Nutrition and food security Mozambique, Rwanda and Zambia.

With COVID-19 prompting school closures,

as urban refugees needing additional
support. It created new operational
© UNHCR/Jaime Giménez
challenges and required additional
in Bangladesh, Kenya and Rwanda
staff and more resources, such as PPE,
UNHCR and WFP adapted school feeding
sanitization materials and individual,
UNHCR supports a canteen providing food to refugees and locals in Quito, Ecuador. programmes to individual contexts.
not shared, nutrition measurement tools.
In west Rwanda, school feeding rations
were included in the general food
The family MUAC roll-out meant a 6% of surveyed sites had
acceptable levels of anaemia
shortage of MUAC tapes, and there
Global Strategic Priorities
Results and achievements of services without adding to COVID-19 distribution; in Kakuma, Kenya, students (<20%). 2019 result: 6%.
Global acute malnutrition
risks. For operations where food were pipeline breaks in some nutrition
See p. 13 for GSP result attending online schooling were given
When people are forced to flee their commodities, delays in food assistance
assistance was provided, adjustments a snack to ensure their nutrition needs
homes, access to and availability of food delivery, funding cuts and inadequate
included scheduling more distribution were met and to encourage e-learning
often becomes irregular and insecure, days, giving two months of rations instead staff/technical capacity.
enrolment. In Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh,
creating a risk of malnutrition and hunger of one, and pre-packing food or switching families with students received high Humanitarian food assistance for
while increasing vulnerability to exploitation to cash assistance. Food distribution energy biscuits, provided by WFP, as refugees decreased in many operations,
and sexual abuse. COVID-19 compounded became quicker, less crowded and less part of the general food distribution. leading to a sharp increase in global food 23% of surveyed sites
these risks and profoundly affected frequent. Similar adjustments were made had acceptable levels of
insecurity. Refugees struggled to meet stunting (<20%).
UNHCR’s nutrition and food security to BSFP, a prevention of malnutrition Operational highlights their food and other basic needs, 2019 result: 23%.
programmes in terms of quality and scale. programme. With mass screening for engaging increasingly in negative coping
acute malnutrition suspended in most In Algeria, Bangladesh, Chad, Ethiopia,
UNHCR normally conducts Standardized strategies that put health and nutrition at
Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and
140,059 children Expanded Nutrition Surveys (SENS) places, some operations increased
Uganda, UNHCR supplied families
risk. These changes and challenges will
6-59 months were admitted
across 100 sites in 15 countries each year, house-to-house screening by community have undone some gains made towards
for treatment of moderate acute
health workers, and introduced new with tapes to measure mid-upper arm
malnutrition in 29 countries. gaining crucial data on the nutritional reducing malnutrition and promoting
2019 result: 90,364. avenues for community screening, such circumference (MUAC), a rapid screening
status of refugees. The lockdown and optimal outcomes. Measures to mitigate
tool for acute malnutrition, and provided
restrictions caused by the pandemic as mother-to-mother support groups the potential negative impact remain key, 74% of surveyed sites met
and household screening by mothers/ training on their appropriate use. This UNHCR’s target for the rate of
forced cancellation or delay of the and operations will need resources to
exclusive breastfeeding.
caretakers. Nutrition clinics reworked allowed them to screen their children
majority of the SENS surveys planned bridge the various gaps. Target: ≥70%. 2019 result: 74%.
their schedules to have fewer children and self-refer if necessary, while reducing
by 54 operations in 2020.
visiting at once and simplified their social contact. UNHCR operations in
To understand the implications of procedures to reduce physical contact. Chad, Rwanda and South Sudan
55,183 children COVID-19 mitigation on nutrition and food innovated with radio and text messages
ADAPTATION TO THE MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE
6-59 months were admitted
The figure opposite shows the number MALNUTRITION IN RESPONSE TO COVID -19 PANDEMIC
for treatment of severe acute security, UNHCR assessed how its to ensure uninterrupted messaging on
malnutrition in 28 countries. of operations that applied various
2019 result: 41,718. operations were adapting food IYCF—key for child survival, nutrition and Adopted hygiene and IPC* measures in service provision 69
adaptations to the management of acute
assistance, cash assistance, community development—and supported mothers
Modified frequency of follow-up treatment appointments 45
malnutrition in response to COVID-19
management of acute malnutrition, with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
pandemic. In 2020, 55,183 children aged Had caregivers measure MUAC* at the clinic/ treating site 42
the blanket supplementary feeding with information on respiratory hygiene
6-59 months with severe acute Modified treatment admission and/or discharge criteria 37
programme (BSFP), infant and young child during breastfeeding, as well as mental
malnutrition (SAM) and 140,059 with Introduced treatment of uncomplicated SAM by CHWs* 27
feeding programmes (IYCF), nutrition health support.
moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) were Introduced low literacy tools in treatment 18
surveys and surveillance, the school feeding
admitted into treatment programmes Modified dosage of therapeutic/supplementary foods 16
programme, and nutrition support at Challenges and unmet needs
for rehabilitation across 32 countries. Combined SAM and MAM treatment protocol into one 14
COVID-19 quarantine and isolation centres.
A joint UNHCR/WFP hub was established Operational adaptations and innovations Used one product for both SAM and MAM 13
Data from 12 operations in Africa and one to help operations better assess largely mitigated the pandemic’s impact,
* Notes
in Asia, covering 60 sites, showed most vulnerability to food insecurity, economic but the use of simplified treatment IPC: Integrated Food Security Phase Classification
MUAC: mid-upper arm circumference
adjusted their activities to allow continuity vulnerability and protection risks, and protocols, reduced frequency of follow-up CHWs : community health workers Number of operations

210 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 211
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T

(including 61 donated to authorities and Challenges and unmet needs

288 to health facilities), distributed
Whilst the focus has been on increasing
65,000 bars of soap and disinfected
the provision of water in UNHCR
1,599 community buildings. In the Meri
site and at household level, UNHCR
operations and the various innovative 25 litres of potable
water on average available
solutions implemented in country per person per day.
promoted “Tippy Taps”–handwashing
operations, at the end of 2020 only 43% 2019 result: 21.
stations made by trained refugees with
of people of concern had at least 20 litres

ydfydfdxf
recycled materials.
of safe water per day. Further efforts are
South Sudan has 314,500 refugees, required to ensure that people of concern
mostly in remote locations, and around to UNHCR can enjoy one of their most
1.6 million IDPs scattered in hard-to-reach basic rights.
places. Very few have a television or
Accessibility remains one of the main 17 people of concern per
drop-hole on average.
Internet access and disseminating urgent challenges. Many field operations are 2019 result: 17.
information on COVID-19 was a major located in deeply remote areas where
challenge for UNHCR’s operation. UNHCR is often the sole service
It leveraged the most popular medium, provider for refugees. In some instances,
radio, to respond to questions and myths UNHCR works with refugees in difficult

Water, sanitation and hygiene on COVID-19 through call-in radio talk operational conditions that are already
shows. To amplify these messages, “boda impacted by conflict, climate change 1,634 people of concern
and extremely limited resources. Building per hygiene promoter on
© UNHCR/Selim Meddeb Hamrouni
boda” or “mobile radios”—motorbikes with average. 2019 result: 1,755.
loudspeakers that broadcast radio shows on 2020 achievements, to respond
and songs—drove through communities to these challenges that were further
A Nigerian refugee washes her child in the village of Garin Kaka in Niger’s Maradi region.
exacerbated by COVID-19, UNHCR
to reach as many people as possible.
and the WASH partners will focus on
UNHCR worked with refugees and IDPs redesigning and installing additional
Global Strategic Priorities
Results and achievements risk public places, to communicating to create culturally and linguistically WASH facilities to decrease COVID-19
Water, sanitation
and hygiene culturally appropriate messages to foster appropriate public service announcements, transmission rates; leveraging refugee
22 people of concern per
See p. 13 for GSP result The seemingly simple act of washing shower/bathing facility on
behaviour changes, to distributing cash radio shows and jingles about voices to communicate about COVID-19; average. 2019 result: 30.
one’s hands is considered one of the most
assistance and hygiene supplies, UNHCR COVID-19. Refugees wrote, recorded and and expanding cash assistance
effective acts to stop the spread of
focused on strengthening and adapting performed their own COVID-19 when COVID-related economic losses
COVID-19. In reality though, in 2020,
WASH services in living areas, health care awareness-raising songs. endanger hygiene practices.
3 billion people lacked soap and water at
facilities and schools.
home to practise good hand hygiene and
40% of healthcare facilities were not In emergencies, the minimum standard for
equipped with handwashing stations at daily water consumption is 15 litres per
50 million of bars
WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION SERVICES | 2015-2020 of soap distributed.
points of care. person, for drinking, personal hygiene,
For many of the people of concern to washing and cooking. Encouragingly, the 30

UNHCR, particularly refugees, these dire average daily amount of potable water 25 25
25 23
conditions marred their daily lives and available increased from 21 to 25 litres 21 22 21

43% of people of concern made COVID-19 prevention extremely per person during 2020. 20

160
16 17 17
had at least 20 litres of safe
challenging. 15
people per usable
water per day. Target: 45%.
Operational highlights 15
handpump/well/spring.

WASH programming is fundamentally 10

multisectoral. All sectors and operational The Democratic Republic of the
areas experience the impact of adequate Congo hosts 490,200 refugees and 5

or, more importantly, inadequate access 5.2 million IDPs. COVID-19 came on the 0
to WASH services. UNHCR’s COVID-19 heels of Ebola and measles epidemics 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

WASH preparedness and response was that claimed more than 4,700 lives. To 141 people per usable
36% of people of concern comprehensive and far-reaching. From reduce the spread of COVID-19, UNHCR
persons per drophole litres per person per day water tap.
had access to a safe
household toilet. Target: 35%. increasing hand-washing facilities in high installed 2,122 hand-washing stations

212 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 213
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I R E S P O N D I N G W I T H L I F E - S AV I N G S U P P O R T

In Niger, nearly 140,000 IDPs and underfunding as the reason for being
60,000 refugees are often housed in unable to achieve shelter targets. In
overcrowded conditions. UNHCR worked Ethiopia, for example, underfunding
with the authorities to identify severely limited shelter interventions in
overcrowded sites and initiate site six refugee camps for Eritrean refugees.
91,782 households
received cash grants for
planning to ensure the necessary A significant number lived in deteriorated rental accommodation.
2019 result: 86,426.
distance between shelters. UNHCR also mud brick and/or communal shelters
helped to set up isolation units and boost with iron sheeting walls and roofs, with
health care infrastructure. 8-10 people under one roof, not the
standard five per household. COVID-19
With its NGO partners, UNHCR provided demonstrated the risks of having limited
cash assistance to displaced and conflict- space, especially in urban areas. In Brazil, 12,806 long-term/
affected people with specific needs,
Shelter and settlements
loss of income in the pandemic greatly permanent shelters were
provided to people of
including people stranded at checkpoints reduced people’s ability to host concern. 2019 result: 9,516.
© UNHCR/Kamrul Hasan
along the contact line in eastern Ukraine Venezuelans, making NGO-run centres
and prevented by COVID-19 restrictions vital. But UNHCR’s limited funding meant
from returning to non-government- it was unable to support four centres that
UNHCR is piloting steel-framed double-storey shelters to make better use of space in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The frames can be dismantled
and the steel reused when they are no longer needed.
controlled areas. Cash assistance helped closed, with the loss of 47% of slots for
them rent apartments close to the people with special needs such as
checkpoints and stay in dignified spaces gender-based violence survivors, older 149,734 emergency
Global Strategic Priorities
Shelter
Results and achievements During 2020, UNHCR distributed while waiting for permission to cross. persons and persons with disabilities.
shelters were provided to
people of concern. 2019
See p. 13 for GSP result 9,000 refugee housing units and result: 94,488.
Physical distancing is fundamental to To this end, UNHCR will place additional
10,160 tents—emergency shelter for
containing COVID-19 but requires space. Challenges and unmet needs
approximately 100,000 individuals— focus on cash-for-rent programmes and
Displaced populations often live in decongesting collective centres and Restricted funding was the main obstacle innovative shelter designs, as in
overcrowded conditions in camps, settlements to reduce transmission in meeting widespread shelter needs. Bangladesh, to increase living space
makeshift settlements or urban centres. and provide dignified shelter options. Operations consistently cited without using more land.
In 2020, a primary focus for UNHCR was 743,635 people of
the development of context-specific UNHCR and UN-Habitat continued concern were reached with
COVID-19-related shelter
guidance to support national emergency working on comprehensive settlement support.

responses, particularly with the planning and using the “master plan
establishment of emergency hospitals, approach”, a framework for spatial

© UNHCR/Eugene Sibomana
quarantine and isolation areas, and the design of humanitarian settlements,
249,000 people of and jointly developed a comprehensive
SPOTLIGHT: Data visualization
concern lived in a refugee expansion of medical facilities to create casts light on displaced people's
housing unit. Target: 250,000. settlement plan for the Rohingya refugee
2019 result: 219,000.
additional space for triage and testing.
response, covering the Ukhiya and
deprivation amid the pandemic 362,691 people of
concern supported with
UNHCR’s COVID-19 response emphasized Teknaf sub-districts in Cox’s Bazar, As the world battled the coronavirus, UNHCR shelter-related core relief items.
the need to provide shelter, modify Bangladesh. highlighted how acutely vulnerable displaced
existing homes and build isolation and populations must contend with extreme
overcrowding and limited access to basics such
quarantine centres to support national Operational highlights as soap and water. “Space, shelter and scarce resources – coping with COVID-19”
authorities in managing caseloads. In
11.5% of all shelter and In Nayapara camp in Cox’s Bazar,
is a data visualization that shows just how hard it is for refugees and IDPs to keep
settlement programmes had 2020, the number of emergency shelters to physical distancing rules and advice on handwashing—key to controlling the
cash mainstreamed as a core
provided increased by 58%, enabling
home to over 22,000 refugees, space spread of the virus. 8,800 refugee housing
programme approach. units distributed for quarantine,
inside residents’ houses was limited.
Target: 50%. more people of concern to practise “Having access to basic services such as health care, sanitation and a decent shelter physical distancing or other
With COVID-19 magnifying the risks COVID-19 measures.
physical distancing and have space for to call home are essential for all human beings to live with dignity. Yet this is not
of overcrowding, UNHCR and the
isolation or quarantine. the reality for millions of refugees and other displaced persons around the world,”
Government of Bangladesh piloted an says Raouf Mazou, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Operations. “While
UNHCR provided 362,691 people with alternative shelter design to increase COVID-19 has affected us all, refugees already living with uncertainty have been
shelter-related relief items, helping internal floor space. By adding a mezzanine disproportionately impacted.”
17,821 transitional those modifying their homes to create floor, the total shelter area rose from
shelters were provided to
additional space. It built 268 isolation 21m2 to 36m2, giving families 69% more
The data visualization also shows how UNHCR is responding to support displaced
communities all over the world to face the challenges posed by the pandemic.
268 isolation, quarantine
people of concern. and treatment centres built/
2019 result: 27,880. centres, enhancing national triage capacity. space without needing more land. supported.

214 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 215
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S

Finding durable solutions so that refugees measures. The pandemic also reinforced

Building
can rebuild their lives and live in peace is the importance of refugee inclusion in
fundamental to UNHCR’s work. national public health responses and
national and local preparedness plans,
The traditional durable solutions include

better futures
education systems, labour markets and
voluntary repatriation, resettlement and
social services.
local integration, as well as other local
solutions and complementary pathways The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
for admission to third countries, which may Development’s call of “leave no one behind”
provide additional opportunities. Enabling and the Global Compact on Refugees’ goal
refugees’ resilience goes hand-in-hand of predictable and equitable responsibility-
with achieving durable solutions. sharing cannot be achieved without
ydfydfdxf Enhancing the self-reliance of refugees international cooperation.
and other people of concern is a crucial
In 2020, UNHCR continued to foster its
component of the Global Compact on
relationships with development actors.
Refugees. Better self-reliance means
It strengthened its relationship with
refugees and host communities are better
the World Bank and other multilateral
able to meet their essential needs, enjoy
development banks, building the
their human rights and live with dignity.
collaboration on data with the UNHCR-
Ensuring they have quality education,
World Bank Joint Data Center on Forced
livelihoods opportunities and access to
Displacement and deepening collaboration
safe and sustainable energy benefits both
with bilateral development partnerships.
host communities and people of concern
to UNHCR. This chapter covers UNHCR’s response
at global and operational level, including
In 2020, the resilience of refugees and
innovative practices, progress made,
their host communities was tested by the
and challenges that must be overcome
COVID-19 pandemic. Education, a lifeline
to achieve comprehensive solutions for
for refugee children, was all but shut down
people of concern.

ydfydfdxf
by COVID-19: 95% of refugee children
were affected by school closures, and
online learning and virtual classrooms In this chapter
remained little more than a dream for
most. The economic downturn damaged • Delivering through partnerships
incomes and employment opportunities, • Access to quality education
leaving displaced populations struggling • Livelihoods and economic inclusion
to meet their basic needs.
• Supporting the urban displaced
Solutions were significantly scarcer, • Energy and environmental protection
mostly due to the closure of borders, and
• Voluntary repatriation
resilience was more vital, highlighting the
need for innovative approaches. UNHCR • Resettlement and complementary
worked with States and partners, including pathways
IOM, to adapt to the risks and restrictions • Local integration and other local
brought by the pandemic, modifying solutions
processing and departure modalities to
mitigate to the extent possible the serious
impact of COVID-19 on those in the
resettlement or complementary pathways
Displaced Afghan schoolgirls leave their
classes during a break at Kahdistan Secondary process, and finding ways to support
School, built with UNHCR support, in Injil voluntary repatriation for those wishing to
district of Herat province, Afghanistan.
© UNHCR/Aref Karimi return home, while respecting COVID-19

216 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 217
T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S

© UNHCR/Samuel Otieno
Informing solutions through data and evidence
A World Bank-UNHCR initiative launched at the end of 2019, the Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement (JDC),
leverages partnerships and innovation in its focus on the collection, analysis, dissemination and use of primary
socioeconomic microdata and population data to inform policymaking and programming. The JDC work programme is
structured around four strategic objectives:
i. strengthen systems and standards;
ii. produce data and analysis;
iii. enhance safe and responsible data access; and
iv. build evidence and share knowledge.
It supports country- and regional-level engagement to increase the coverage of socioeconomic data on populations
affected by forced displacement, as well as global systemic efforts to strengthen norms and standards on statistics that will
improve the quality of data collected. The 2020 work programme included around 40 activities, with the largest share of the
budget invested in primary data collection.
The pandemic raised the demand for comparable socioeconomic data to understand the impact of the crisis on both
national populations and people of concern. The JDC publication “Highly vulnerable yet largely invisible” (December
2020), provided a stock-take of available evidence and highlighted a significant absence of data. To this end, UNHCR has

Delivering through partnerships

contributed to the inclusion of forcibly displaced people into national high frequency phone surveys in more than a dozen
Global Strategic Priorities
Protection and solutions countries, in some cases working in collaboration with the JDC. This data–made easily available to partners, governments
See p. 15 for GSP results and researchers–measures changes in employment, access to service, and behaviours, helping to inform evidence-based
programming, policy and advocacy efforts. The findings from surveys are highlighted in a series of country specific briefs.
Engagement with development actors and processes
In line with the call in the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) for responsibility and burden-sharing (particularly SPOTLIGHT: Monitoring and mitigating the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19
paragraph 35), UNHCR redoubled efforts to expand its collaboration with multilateral development banks and
Timely socioeconomic data on forcibly displaced populations is essential to understanding the conditions of
strengthen systematic engagement with bilateral development agencies and institutions. The value of these
people of concern and informing an evidence-based programmatic response. Newly collected data in a
partnerships was particularly evident in the context of COVID-19, which prompted many development agencies to focus on the
growing number of countries–available in UNHCR’s microdata library–provides insight on how the COVID-19 pandemic is
importance of including refugees in national responses. The World Bank showed strong leadership and support to low- and
affecting what are already highly vulnerable forcibly displaced populations.
middle-income countries in fighting COVID-19, taking dedicated measures to ensure refugees and other people of concern were
included in national response efforts. This included making up to $1 billion available in grants under the IDA19 Window for Host Periodic polling by Kenya’s rapid response phone survey showed that in contrast to national households refugees had
Communities and Refugees (WHR) in the fiscal year from 1 July 2020 and systematically including refugees in all COVID-19 greater and growing anxiety about the pandemic, reflecting concerns about money, food shortages, school closures and
vaccination campaigns supported by the World Bank. The UNHCR-World Bank partnership thrived, with close cooperation on policy access to health facilities (Figure 1). Moreover, the wide gap in the employment rates of nationals and camp-based
and programme development, data and analytics, and knowledge management. Collaboration on data was led by the Joint Data refugees was sustained during the pandemic as a result of widespread job losses (Figure 2).
Center on Forced Displacement launched in late 2019. Operational collaboration focused on projects in 14 low-income countries in
Africa and Asia under the bank’s IDA18 Refugee Sub-Window (RSW), under its new WHR, and within the Global Concessional
Financing Facility for middle-income countries. UNHCR and the World Bank worked on developing a Refugee Policy Review
Framework, a tool for assessing refugee policy and institutional environments in countries eligible for the WHR. Figure 1 Figure 2

Collaboration with other regional development banks increased. Partnership with the African Development Bank bore fruit in FEELINGS OF ANXIET Y DUE EMPLOYMENT RATE AMONG
TO THE PANDEMIC WORKING AGE ADULTS
particular with multi-year projects including $20.5 million for the COVID-19 response in the Sahel. Such dedicated investments
for refugees and host communities are a concrete manifestation of the burden-sharing promised by the international community
in the Global Compact on Refugees. In 2020, UNHCR also advocated for forced displacement to be integrated in policies, 100% 95% 80%
89% 71%
programmes and planning carried out by bilateral development actors such as the French Development Agency (AFD), the 79%
84%
75% 78%
70%
80%
German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union’s Directorate-General for 60%
57% 54%
64% 63%
International Partnerships (INTPA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The collaboration with BMZ gained 60% 50%
47%

momentum with commitments to systematically extend the partnership at country level and in flagship technical sectors 50%
40%
including energy and vocational training. Cooperation on BMZ’s dedicated financial instrument for forced displacement 40% 30%
25%
18%
advanced. This reflected a key tenet of the GCR: using dedicated tools for funding to share burdens and responsibilities, thereby 20% 15% 17%
20%
enhancing the predictability and consistency of development funding in refugee-hosting areas. In 2020, UNHCR worked on 10%
11%
establishing country and regional-level channels of communication between UNHCR and the European Commission, with the
14% 15%
0% 0%
specific aim of informing 2021-2027 development programming by the EU in forced displacement contexts. UNHCR collaborated Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Pre-COVID Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3

with other UN agencies to promote long-term solutions for refugees. It supported the ILO’s drive to create sustainable decent
Camp refugees Urban refugees Nationals Camp refugees Urban refugees Nationals
work opportunities for refugees and host communities and strengthened partnerships with UNICEF to streamline country-level
collaboration, as well as working with UNDP on ways to integrate displacement into development initiatives. Two new projects in
Chad and Sudan were added to UNHCR’s portfolio with the UN Peacebuilding Fund, confirming the GCR’s commitment towards
supporting returns to countries and communities of origin in safety and dignity.

218 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 219
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S

catch up on their return. Classrooms were Challenges and unmet needs

constructed or rehabilitated, WASH
ydfydfdxf facilities in schools improved and expanded,
and schools equipped with ICT. “Back to
COVID-19 had a profound impact.
Closure of schools, non-formal learning
school” campaigns aimed to inform and
programmes, after-school centres and 1,718,955 children
universities disrupted education at all enrolled in primary education.
reassure children, families and communities Target: 1.9 million. 2019 result:
levels. While most governments and 1,476,716*.
about the safety of returning to school.
institutions introduced programmes to
support the continuity of learning, many
Operational highlights
refugee learners lacked the required
UNHCR procured and distributed
Access to quality education
connectivity or hardware (textbooks,
5,500 radios and school kits to enable laptops, smartphones, tablets, radios or
children to participate in interactive radio televisions), or lived too far from broadcast
© UNHCR/Roland Schönbauer
programming in Mali. The Office also signals. Specific needs of children with
170,048 students
enrolled in lower and upper
re-purposed cash grants for education to disabilities were often not (or inadequately) secondary education. Target:
182,900. 2019 result: 63,888.
Cameroonian refugee children at a pre-school created by a community-based initiative in Ogoja, Nigeria. fund access to data and connectivity in accommodated in home-based learning.
Egypt and distributed printed materials Many refugee girls faced increased
and exercises for children along with food protection risks and domestic
Global Strategic Priorities
Education
Results and achievements and equitable access to education. rations in Indonesia. Furthermore, UNHCR responsibilities during school closures,
See p. 14 for GSP result UNHCR’s tertiary scholarship programme ensured that teachers’ salaries were paid jeopardizing home-based learning and
Of the approximately 10 million refugee
(DAFI) helped 7,087 refugees study in even when schools were closed in Chad, future educational prospects. University
children and youth under UNHCR care
in 2020, 7.1 million were of school age.
54 countries of asylum in 2020, with a new Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, Pakistan, closures meant many refugee students 7,087 people of concern
received tertiary education
scholarship programme in the Democratic Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda lost student housing or were sent back
Their access to education was limited, scholarships. Target: 12,800.
Republic of the Congo for 30 students. and Yemen. to refugee camps. 2019 result: 8,362.
with 3.4 million unable to attend school.
Only 230 new students were enrolled
At primary level, 77% of refugee children Parent-teacher collaboration in Chad UNHCR worked at all stages of the
in 2020 due to funding constraints and
were enrolled. More displaced children were ensured 4,000 Sudanese and Chadian COVID-19 response to address emerging
COVID-19. Connected education came
enrolled in secondary school than ever secondary school pupils could prepare challenges, advocating for the inclusion
to the fore in 2020, and the Connected
before, with enrolment up 2%, but still low for national exams. In September, of refugees in national response plans
Learning in Crisis Consortium grew to
at 31%. However, the gains favoured boys, 1,209 refugees (57% girls) sat for the and providing guidance on connected
33 members, supporting 55,000 learners
and 36% of refugee boys were in secondary national baccalaureate exam: a major education for no-, low- and high-tech 851 educational facilities
with tertiary bridging or professional
934,023 refugee education, but only 27% of girls. Just 3% of success in a challenging year. Whilst environments. There was an urgent need
constructed or improved.
Target: 960. 2019 result: 381.
children and youth supported development programmes and
with distance or home-based refugee students were in higher education. COVID-19 highlighted the digital divide, to upgrade WASH infrastructure in schools
3,000 degree-based learners.
learning in 74 countries. In 2020, all those enrolled in school were Connected Education initiatives such as in refugee camps and settlements as
negatively affected by school closures, UNHCR helped 934,000 students in expansion of the Kolibri learning platform facilities do not meet UNHCR standards.
and the number out of school may rise 74 countries to learn during school in Uganda supported learning at home In some locations over 400 children used
in coming years as students struggle to closures, with allowances for online classes for exam-grade pupils. a single handwashing point.
make up for the pandemic disruption. and support for new teaching
approaches—remote learning, audio and
15 operations supported in
strengthening educational
UNHCR strove to increase access to Educate A Child and UNHCR
video lessons, and notes and feedback
1,572,068 refugee education and the quality of education, UNHCR/Xavier Bourgois expand efforts to give
programming for out-of-school
children. 2019 result: 10.
children and youth out sent via WhatsApp. At tertiary level, many
of school due to mandatory despite the disruption of COVID-19. out- of-school children a
DAFI programme partners continued chance to learn
school closures With the support of Educate A Child,
in 58 countries. student support through remote check-ins,
a programme of the Education Above In 2020, thanks to Educate A Child (EAC),
counselling and informational updates.
All Foundation, 15 country operations a programme of the Education Above All
strengthened primary education As schools prepared to reopen, UNHCR Foundation supported by the Qatar Fund for
Development, UNHCR continued to strengthen
programming. UNHCR led the Accelerated surveyed school water and sanitation primary education programming for displaced 14 operations supported in
Education Working Group (AEWG) and set facilities globally, issued guidelines on safe out-of-school children in 15 operations across increasing access and
up the Secondary Education Working reopening, provided health and hygiene the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. enrolment to secondary
education. 2019 result: 10.
With COVID-19 disrupting education around the globe, the EAC partnership proved instrumental in
171,707 children aged Group, joining with 11 international NGOs, training for teachers, and—through its
ensuring continuity and preparing for the safe reopening of schools. Initiatives such as lessons on
3-5 enrolled in early childhood
States and donors to promote strategic AEWG leadership—developed and TV and radio, self-study packs and the construction or rehabilitation of WASH infrastructure enabled * 1,136,002 reported in the Global Report
education. Target: 403,000. 2019. 2019 figure has been revised to
2019 result: 178,891. partnerships, evidence-based solutions disseminated resources to help learners displaced children and education personnel to keep learning and teaching amidst the pandemic. reflect the cut-off date.

220 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 221
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S

UNHCR and ILO promoted refugees’ advocacy and partnering with national
access to national employment services, and local authorities and actors led to a
together with the World Association of 10% increase in the number of refugee-
Public Employment Services. Mauritania’s hosted households with access to
National Agency for the Promotion of agricultural land.
12 countries allowed
refugees access to microcredit

ydfydfdxf Youth Employment was supported to

increase absorption capacity and include
Since 2017, UNHCR’s partnership with
Kiva, a non-profit microfinance
loans from 19 financial
service providers (FSP).
Target: 40. 2019 result:
refugees in its services—a pilot that will 17 FSPs in 12 countries.
crowdfunding platform, has unlocked over
inform similar moves elsewhere in
$20 million in small business loans for
the future.
over 20,000 refugees and IDPs in Brazil,
In 13 of the 19 countries where UNHCR Colombia, Costa Rica, the Democratic
implements MADE51, a flagship brand of Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Jordan,
refugee-made products, refugees and Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Palestine, 13,711 refugees and
local enterprise partners made essential Rwanda, Uganda and the United States host community households
supported through the
personal protective equipment, including of America. “graduation approach”

Livelihoods and economic inclusion

hundreds of thousands of face masks. to poverty alleviation.
Challenges and unmet needs Target: 50,000.
Refugee-made products reached local
© UNHCR/Emrah Gurel and international markets, boosting COVID-19 had a disproportionate
income-earning opportunities and socioeconomic impact on the forcibly
positive sentiment towards refugees, displaced. Refugees endured disruptions
Rania, a 30-year-old refugee from Aleppo, Syria, has lived in Istanbul for seven years and handmakes toys at Bebemoss, a start-up supported by MADE51.
particularly following the launch of in livelihoods and income, faced
the MADE51 online shop on World Refugee challenges in covering basic needs, and 19 countries enabled
Day 2020. UNHCR’s MADE51 project were often forced into premature returns refugee and host community
Global Strategic Priorities
Self-reliance
Results and achievements and recovery, wage employment and enabled 2,700 refugees and host-country or negative coping mechanisms. Food
artisans to access market
opportunities. Target: 20.
See p. 14 for GSP result agricultural work. 43% of people of artisans to maintain an income in 2020. and cash cuts foreseen by WFP will 2019 result: 15.
In 2020, UNHCR stepped up livelihoods
concern aged 15 or older had a basic further weaken the protection and
support and mobilized resources and Operational highlights
partnerships to mitigate the financial account—a mobile money socioeconomic situation of the people
socioeconomic impact of COVID-19. account or an account with a financial In Uganda, UNHCR’s partnership with of concern to UNHCR.
Advocacy was reinforced for refugees’ institution. the Swedish International Development
Monitoring showed that more than
inclusion in national social protection, Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the
The Poverty Alleviation Coalition provided
Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation
60% of refugees could not meet even 30% of refugees lived in
socioeconomic statistics and economic self-reliance support to 13,711 households half of their basic needs in 2020. countries where they had the
development plans. National statistics helped two microfinance institutions right to work. 2019 result: 30%.
in 2020 using the “graduation approach”, Displaced women and girls were
offices and the World Bank included extend their services to over
significantly more than in previous years, but particularly impacted. In the Middle East
refugees in high frequency phone surveys 5,000 refugees and host communities.
far from the 50,000 households expected, and North Africa, 84% of surveyed people
on the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 Mexican bank BanCoppel opened up its
mainly due to the 88% underfunding of of concern reported a loss of livelihoods
services to refugees, while South Africa
in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco and and income. In Jordan, 35% of Syrian
1,259,477 refugees, Uganda. Governments included people
the Coalition’s programmes. included refugees in its financial
IDPs and others of concern
of concern to UNHCR in COVID-19 social
inclusion policy.
refugees employed before COVID-19 lost
34% of refugees lived
received livelihoods support UNHCR significantly increased their jobs, compared to 17% of Jordanian in countries where they
in 85 countries. assistance programmes in Brazil, collaboration with development partners to Agricultural activities were supported citizens. In Costa Rica, 59% of refugee had an unrestricted right to
freedom of movement.
Colombia, the Republic of the Congo, improve digital skills, advocating for more in several countries in Africa. In Zambia, families reported steady work-related 2019 result: 34%.
Ecuador, Mauritania, Mexico, Panama, women entrepreneurs and supporting 1,054 refugee and host farmers were income streams at the end of July 2020,
South Africa and Uruguay. women and girls with training and included in the national agriculture input a staggering decrease from 93% before
computers to increase labour market support programme. In Cameroon, the pandemic hit.
UNHCR allocated over $113 million
towards implementing livelihoods opportunities. COVID-related restrictions
made digital technology crucial.
3,298,203 activities in 2020. UNHCR and partners
53% of refugees lived
refugees and asylum-seekers supported 1,259,477 individuals with 8,115 refugees in over 70 countries enrolled in countries where they had
benefited from increased or an unrestricted right to
expanded social protection in
protection of productive assets, training, in UNHCR learning on the Coursera for access bank accounts.
85 countries. finances to facilitate business creation Refugees platform, up from 1,400 in 2019. 2019 result: 53%.

222 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 223
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S

a risk, UNHCR supported 1.3 million physical and legal safety, and inclusion
households with cash assistance for rent in education, livelihood and self-reliance
and increased its support for collective programmes.
shelters hosting vulnerable refugees and
In Cameroon, UNHCR launched one-time

ydfydfdxf
asylum-seekers. In Tapachula, Mexico,
unrestricted cash assistance in four urban
UNHCR and Hospitalidad y Solidaridad
locations for over 11,000 refugees reliant
A.C. inaugurated a 300-space shelter,
on wages from the informal sector, and
the country’s first exclusively for refugees
facing immense challenges to pay for
and asylum-seekers. UNHCR financed
rent, food and other basic needs because
construction of the shelter, which has solar
of COVID-19. The cash assistance, which
Supporting the urban displaced panels, a rainwater collection system,
natural ventilation and a garden producing
also helped them comply with COVID-19
mitigation rules, was distributed as mobile
© UNHCR/Ramiro Aguilar Villamarín
food for residents.
money in collaboration with financial
service provider MTN.
Alejandrina Leon is a 37-year-old Venezuelan refugee and a delivery rider with Cambalache Go – a local enterprise supported by UNHCR in Quito, Ecuador.
Operational highlights
In Brazil, UNHCR and the city of Challenges and unmet needs
São Paulo launched a joint protocol to
Refugees, asylum-seekers, IDPs,
Results and achievements Assessment for Syrian Refugees in guide the assistance to transgender
returnees and stateless persons often
Lebanon (VASyR), Health Access & migrant and refugee communities, aiming
Seven in 10 people of concern to UNHCR find themselves living in poor shelters
Utilization Surveys (HAUS) and to prevent discrimination in social
live in urban settings, and the pandemic where health, WASH, and education
participatory assessments. While assistance and food distribution, fulfilling
92% of people of concern sharpened the challenge of supporting
governments stepped up to shield a pledge submitted in the 2019 Global
services are overstretched or inaccessible
living in cities had access to them. Refugees in urban areas were around and national social safety nets, including
primary health care through refugees from COVID-19, UNHCR Refugee Forum (GRF) to address
the national system on the 60% more likely than host populations to cash transfers, are not fully accessible.
bolstered their defences by distributing xenophobia and include people of
same basis as nationals. work in sectors that were hardest hit by Overall, refugees in urban areas—even
Target: 80%. PPE, extending hospitals, setting up triage concern in national systems.
COVID-19, such as accommodation, food where the legal framework is enabling—
and isolation areas, and building up the
services, manufacturing and retail. The Government of the Philippines issued often face numerous obstacles to access
capacity of health workers and
local government units with a legal national services. The needs remain vast
UNHCR advocated for refugees to be communities to fight the disease.
instruction to promote an inclusive and UNHCR will continue to work with
included in national responses.
UNHCR’s cash assistance and shelter approach towards refugees, asylum- governments and partners to support
Governments answered the call: among
support worked in parallel with its health seekers, and stateless persons in the and facilitate the inclusion of refugees
people of concern to UNHCR living in cities,
interventions. Cash assistance helped pandemic, aiming for equal treatment, whenever possible in national systems.
92% had access to primary health care on
refugees weather the financial impact of
the same basis as nationals by the end of
COVID-19, which often spelled loss of jobs
2020, surpassing UNHCR’s 80% target a
and income, rent arrears and food
75% of people of concern year ahead of schedule. A successful
living in cities had access to insecurity. When the pandemic reached
secondary and tertiary health example was Lebanon, which hosts the
care through the national highest number of refugees per capita,
Mauritania, UNHCR immediately made a SPOTLIGHT: Cities stand with refugees against COVID-19
system on the same basis as cash grant available for refugees living in
nationals. Target: 70%. mainly Syrians living in extreme poverty in There were many excellent examples of cities supporting refugees as
urban centres, prioritizing 1,028 households
residential buildings. Refugees in Lebanon part of their COVID-19 response, actions recognized by UNHCR on
without savings or social networks, at risk
could get primary care, including for HIV 31 October on World Cities Day and through the Cities #WithRefugees Campaign,
of eviction and far from able to meet their
and tuberculosis, at centres run by the signed by over 260 cities in over 50 countries. Cities will continue to be encouraged
most urgent needs. The one-off payment
Ministry of Public Health, and secondary to communicate about initiatives they and their partners are undertaking to support
approximated 40% of the minimum
and tertiary care in several contracted refugees. Participating cities in 2020 included Bergen (Norway), Durban (South
expenditure basket for three months.
hospitals. Equitable access for the displaced Africa), Ioannina (Greece), Quito (Ecuador), São Paulo (Brazil) and Victoria (Canada).
population and the vulnerable host Shelter support ranged from establishing UNHCR partnered with the Mayors Migration Council (MMC) on the Global Cities
community was coordinated under the triage and isolation areas to providing Fund for Inclusive Pandemic Response, a $1,000,000 initiative to respond to cities’
Lebanon Crisis Response Plan, which cash for rent and materials to build or needs as they support migrants, refugees and IDPs during COVID-19. The 2021 Fund
76% of households in UNHCR helped guide on the basis of extend shelters. Many cities witnessed was granted to Barranquilla (Colombia), Beirut (Lebanon), Freetown (Sierra Leone),
urban areas paid rent with evidence from health surveys and a sharp increase in evictions as a result Lima (Peru) and Mexico City (Mexico).
cash assistance received from
UNHCR. Target: 80% assessments such as the Vulnerability of COVID-19 lockdowns. To mitigate such

224 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 225
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S

ydfydfdxf
UNHCR is striving to shrink its Training sessions were carried out
environmental footprint, including by for 50 engineers from the Ministry of
improving waste management and Education and 115 youth were given
reducing field operations’ CO2 emissions. 400 hours of vocational training on
Improvements in the packaging of kitchen renewable energy. Training topics 500,000 tons of
CO2 emissions reduced
sets in 2020 reduced annual plastic and included design software packages by using cleaner sources
cardboard waste by 47 and 43 tons per (SketchUp, PVSyst and AutoCAD) of energy. Target: 6,000.
2019 result: 838,220.
year respectively. It established a $4 million and technical knowledge about the
“green fund” to shift the energy source of components and installation of solar
field operations including Ethiopia, Kenya power and heating systems.
and Uganda from diesel to renewables.

Energy and environmental protection

© UNHCR/Vanessa Zola
UNHCR also initiated partnerships with
several international organizations and
Challenges and unmet needs
COVID-19 highlighted the urgency of
implementing partners to address increased access to sustainable energy 3,000 hectares of
deforestation and land degradation in for displaced populations and host degraded land rehabilitated
through reforestation
In Sudan’s White Nile State, Alisa, 35, cooks on her family’s new ethanol stove, received in a project piloted by UNHCR in partnership with the largest local sugar refugee settings. For instance, Land Life communities. Nevertheless, sustainable activities in refugee-hosting
producing company, Kenana.
implemented a reforestation project around energy sources such as solar are costly areas. Target: 5,000.

Minawao camp in Cameroon, achieving an at their inception. Given limited funding,

85% tree survival rate, above the country’s operations understandably prioritize
55% average. In Bangladesh, the Center for immediate life-saving needs over
Results and achievements from diesel to hybrid or full solar power.
Natural Resource Studies (CNRS) worked technology. Conscious of the substantial
To the extent possible, health centres and with UNHCR to enhance environmental
Access to clean, affordable, and reliable return on investment from reduced costs
isolation areas, including six in Bangladesh protection and natural hazard risk
energy services is integral to humanitarian over an asset life of 25 years or more,
1,624,789 people response and essential for sustainable
and 17 in Uganda, were connected to mitigation around the Rohingya camps. UNHCR is working to leverage private 100 (out of 550) UNHCR
photovoltaic systems. COVID-19 also country offices participated
of concern had access to a economic development. Sustainable sector partnerships to expand the use in the annual inventory for
sustainable source of cooking spurred distance learning, and children Operational highlights the UN’s “Greening the blue”
fuel. Target: 1.6 million. energy services enable people of concern of sustainable energy. This is particularly
initiative. 2019 result: 100.
required power and light to study. UNHCR important in protracted situations where
2019 result: 1.0 million. to UNHCR to meet their energy needs in a As of December 2020, the RE4R project
safe, sustainable and affordable way. mobilized funds and resources to provide funding is diminishing and continued
had installed solar water heater systems
sustainable and renewable energy to dependency on fuel is no longer
In 2020 UNHCR started applying its in 571 shelters and energy efficiency
health centres and schools in priority affordable.
“Global strategy for sustainable energy upgrades in 117 shelters in Jordan.
countries.
2019-2024”, aiming to ensure that energy It upgraded energy efficiency and solar The COVID-19 situation and budget
needs for cooking, lighting and heating are The Clean Energy Challenge, led by power systems in 14 schools in Irbid reallocation to other priority activities

1,724,199 people of safely and sustainably met, supporting UNHCR and UNITAR, increased its governorate, and 5,778 students attended hampered environmental protection 102 UNHCR field offices
participated in the UN-wide
concern had access to a both refugees and host communities. membership from 30 to 250 stakeholders awareness-raising sessions on renewable programmes, with unmet needs in land environmental inventory.
sustainable source of Cleaner energy sources meant UNHCR’s in 2020. Partners and private donors energy and energy efficiency principles. restoration and reforestation activities. 2019 result: 100.
electricity. Target: 2.5 million.
operations cut their CO2 emissions by enabled the first phase of the Energy
an estimated 500,000 tons, according to Solutions for Displacement Settings
a revised methodology, far above the programme to go ahead, improving access
6,000-ton target. to renewable energy in Ethiopia, Kenya and
© Solvatten
Refugee families get clean water
thanks to Swedish innovation
COVID-19 prevention required reliable and Uganda for refugees and host communities.
Initiatives in these countries included In 2020, the Swedish social enterprise
adequate water supplies and thus Solvatten made an in-kind donation
increased energy demand. That was a connecting health facilities to photovoltaic of 3,600 portable water treatment and water
challenge in many operations since only systems, techno-economic feasibility heating systems to refugee families in Uganda.
studies, and mobilization of local actors Using solar energy, their innovative product
43% of people of concern had access to at cleans and heats water within a few hours,
least 20 litres of safe water per day. To this to roll out more sustainable energy making it safe to drink and use. To address the
end, UNHCR expanded the use of solarized programmes. The Renewable Energy for water challenges and increase the use of
boreholes and water pumps which are Refugees (RE4R) programme enabled renewable solar energy in off-grid regions of
Uganda, UNHCR works actively to use Solvatten
cost-efficient in the long run and require the delivery of modern energy services technology and educate communities on its
less maintenance. 25 boreholes switched in Jordan and Rwanda. benefits in their field operations.

226 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 227
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S

IDPs and other people affected by The Government of Afghanistan committed

conflict, and developed a work plan, to double the number of priority areas for
including a component on returns from return and reintegration from 20 to 40.
abroad, for implementation in 2021. In 2020, more than 900,000 returnees,
Thanks to a project supporting mobile IDPs and community members were
8 countries were supported
on housing, land and property
registration units of the National Civil assisted by UNHCR and its partners with and documentation rights for
refugees and IDPs. Target: 10.
Registry Office, 19,570 identity documents cash assistance and in-kind support, 2019 result: 10.
were issued in the departments of Arauca, improved access to shelter, expansion of
La Guajira, Norte de Santander and Atlántico. education and skills training, implementation
of quick-impact livelihoods projects, and
Operational highlights
the development of public infrastructure

ydfydfdxf
Despite the pandemic, 40,774 Burundian including schools and health care facilities.
refugees were assisted to return from
Challenges and unmet needs
Rwanda and the United Republic of
Tanzania, bringing the total number of Returns and reintegration efforts were
7 intention surveys
completed. Target: 9.
Burundian returnees to 120,500 since hampered by the pandemic, with border 2019 result: 9.

Voluntary repatriation
© UNHCR/Claris Neh Mokom Achu
voluntary repatriation started in
September 2017. Protection monitoring
closures and public health concerns
preventing voluntary repatriations but also
activities in return areas in Burundi triggering some premature returns and
showed some progress in returnees’ onward movements. Returns were also
Eve, 26, crosses the Ubangi river with her husband Jonathan and their children to return home to the Central African Republic after living as refugees in the ability to access services and reintegrate. limited by persistent problems in many
Democratic Republic of the Congo.
More than 90% of interviewed returnees countries of origin, including fragile or
reported returning to their place of origin, faltering peace processes, continuing 250,951 refugees
Global Strategic Priorities
Results and achievements aims to mobilize political, technical and 79% reported having access to primary insecurity, exclusion of refugees from returned to their country of
Voluntary return and origin. 2019 result: 317,291.
reintegration financial support for refugees, returnees health care in their return areas, 82% of peace processes and repatriation plans,
See p. 14 for GSP result In 2020, 250,951 refugees returned to their and host communities. returnee households reported having and a failure to address the original
country of origin—a decrease of 21% from access to land and 72% had civil drivers of displacement.
2019 (317,291). Despite situations of complex In 2020, UNHCR strengthened its status documents.
security and fragile peace, UNHCR collaboration with the UN Secretary- Other deterrents to voluntary repatriation
observed self-organized returns by refugees General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), There were 2,311 returns to Afghanistan, included destruction and confiscation
bolstering its contribution to the Sustaining a 73% decline largely due to a suspension of housing, land and property, severely
and IDPs in South Sudan, the Syrian Arab
of voluntary repatriation caused by the overstretched services, and a lack
Republic (Syria), Yemen and elsewhere. Peace and 2030 Agendas. UNHCR 41 situations where
collaborated with the PBF in Burkina Faso, pandemic, coupled with the worsening of employment opportunities in the refugees were supported to
38,000 Syrian refugees returned home, return voluntarily in safety and
the Democratic Republic of the Congo and security situation and a lack of basic home country.
60% fewer than in 2019, a slowdown after in dignity, where conditions
Sudan in Africa, and El Salvador, Guatemala services and economic opportunities. permitted. 2019 result: 41.
250,000 returned between 2016 and 2020.
They were assisted by a network of and Honduras in Central America. In
community centres in Syria, safe public Sudan, UNHCR implemented the PBF REFUGEE RETURNEES | 2015-2020
places where women, men, boys and girls supported programme Durable solutions
can meet for social activities and obtain for forced displacement in West Darfur,
protection services—ranging from legal aid, focusing on local action plans, long-term 600,000 552,219
education and livelihood support to development and conflict resolution in 519,321
For more information
500,000
psychosocial support, gender-based target localities. Together with UNDP, on solutions, see
Chapter 6 of the
violence prevention and response, and child UNHCR provided support to the Sudan 400,000 2020 Global Trends
protection interventions. Peace Commission and to the 384,887 317,291 report
300,000
implementation of the Juba Peace
In the Horn of Africa, UNHCR worked with 201,387 250,951
Agreement pertaining to millions of 200,000
the Intergovernmental Authority on
Sudanese affected by displacement.
Development (IGAD) and members of the 100,000

Nairobi Process core group on the activation In Colombia, UNHCR signed a memorandum
0
of the IGAD Support Platform. Launched at of understanding with the Victims Unit,
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
the Global Refugee Forum, the platform which was set up by a 2011 law to support

228 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 229
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S

ydfydfdxf
The Refugee Steering Group was convened and key partners. The project now includes
in January 2020 with representatives from 24 universities and has welcomed around
national, regional and global refugee-led 70 students in three years.
networks that contributed to the Global
Refugee Forum. It plays an important
Emergency Transit Mechanisms (ETMs) 22,800 UNHCR-
provided a life-saving solution, with facilitated resettlement

Resettlement and complementary pathways advisory role in planning the Annual Tripartite departures. Target: 70,000.
533 people of concern in Libya departing for 2019 result: 63,726.
Consultations on Resettlement, coordinating
Niger, Romania and Rwanda. A persistent
refugee participation and creating spaces for
© UNHCR/Mohamed Alalem challenge was the slow processing and lack
discussions on matters of concern.
of departures from the ETMs in Niger and
As a result of the pandemic, admissions Rwanda to the main resettlement countries,
The family of a seven-year-old Syrian girl suffering from a brain tumour await resettlement from Libya to Canada, which could save her life.
under complementary pathways in 2020 preventing additional evacuation flights
were limited. The economic slowdown in from Libya taking place.
many parts of the world affected labour
Global Strategic Priorities
Resettlement
Results and achievements complementary pathways initiative 2020-
Challenges and unmet needs
Protection and solutions 2022”, known as the CRISP. The initiative mobility opportunities and many
39,534 refugees were
See p. 14 for GSP result The pandemic heightened the importance of scholarship programmes for refugees submitted for resettlement.
aims to help States and other key actors The 2020 target of 70,000 refugees
2019 result: 81,671.
resettlement and complementary pathways have been temporarily halted. While data
establish or expand third-country solutions resettled in 31 countries was not met
as protection and solution mechanisms and in these areas will be provided by the due to a shortfall in resettlement quotas,
through capacity-building activities.
as a solid demonstration of responsibility- States later in 2021, the evidence from exacerbated by COVID-19, which led to
To advocate for improved access to third-
sharing. In 2020, the availability of such partners already suggested that the goal the suspension of most departures from
country solutions, UNHCR commissioned
solutions decreased and implementation of of 140,000 complementary pathways March to June 2020 with only slow and
research supported by the CRISP on the
the “Three-year strategy (2019-2021) on admissions in 2020 was not achieved. partial re-openings subsequently. Travel
benefits of resettlement and a mapping of
resettlement and complementary pathways” restrictions also significantly affected
global opportunities to advance resettlement
(3YS), which anticipated resettlement of
and complementary pathways. Operational highlights complementary pathways. The pandemic
70,000 people and the admission of
To address COVID-related challenges, many
prompted embassies to suspend visa 25 countries received
140,000 refugees under complementary UNHCR led the creation of the CRISP- services, appointments and new applications,
UNHCR submissions.

supported Global Task Force on Education operations reconfigured their resettlement Target: 31. 2019 result: 29.
pathways in 2020, suffered a considerable which particularly affected refugees with
Complementary Pathways, launched the processing, using remote interviews and
setback. Despite COVID-19, UNHCR family reunification applications, while
Global Family Reunification Network, and adapting the working environment.
submitted over 39,500 refugees to UNHCR strove to coordinate with its
25 countries for resettlement, the majority worked on the creation of the Global In Italy, 2020 saw an expansion of the partners to keep the resettlement
originating from the Syrian Arab Republic Refugee Labour Mobility Task Force: three University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE) programme running and ensure protection
(18,220), the Democratic Republic of the milestones towards achieving the 3YS project, which brings refugees residing in for those most at risk. UNHCR also
Congo (5,944), Eritrea (2,147), Somalia goals. All three will be key platforms for Ethiopia to study in Italy. UNICORE was set encouraged States to be flexible and
(2,071) and Sudan (1,805). 22,800 refugees sharing good practice and advocating up in 2019 by Italian universities with the innovative with interviews and visa
departed on resettlement to 22 countries, for refugees’ increased access to these support of UNHCR, the Italian Ministry of processing in resettlement and complementary 75 country operations
submitted refugees for
64% fewer than in 2019. UNHCR-facilitated solutions. The UNHCR Opportunities Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, pathways, including family reunification. resettlement. 2019 result: 81.
departures were mainly from Lebanon Platform, launched in September 2020
(4,645), Turkey (4,098), Jordan (1,557), with the support of the CRISP, is a tool
to help refugees find higher education GLOBAL RESETTLEMENT GLOBAL RESETTLEMENT
Egypt (1,353) and the United Republic of
SUBMISSIONS BY CATEGORY | 2020 DEPARTURES | 2015-2020
Tanzania (1,341). Half of refugee applicants scholarships, and will expand to include
were women and girls, and half were third-country employment opportunities. Children and Medical needs
For more information
children. Submissions made on an adolescents at risk 10% and others 4%
140 000 on solutions, see

Individuals
In 2020, the OECD-UNHCR study “Safe 126 291
Chapter 6 of the
emergency or urgent basis rose by 38% 120 000
pathways for refugees” was updated with 2020 Global Trends
from 2019, accounting for a quarter of report
2019 data. It showed 155,775 first-time 100 000
global submissions.
residency permits were issued that year for Women and
girls-at-risk 18%
80 000
81 891
65 108
63 726

To help States and key stakeholders meet study, work and family purposes in OECD 60 000
55 680
their commitments under the Global countries and Brazil to nationals of 40 000

Compact on Refugees and in line with the Afghanistan, Eritrea, the Islamic Republic of 20 000
22 800
3YS, UNHCR and IOM collaborated under Iran, Iraq, Somalia, the Syrian Arab Republic Survivor of violence Legal and/or physical 0

the “Sustainable resettlement and and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. and/or torture 33% protection needs 35% 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

230 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 231
 T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S T H E M AT I C C H A P T E R S I B U I L D I N G B E T T E R F U T U R E S

compile legal instruments and draft advice In Chad, the out-of-camp approach was
on housing, land and property (HLP) rights; maintained and strengthened, namely by
and participatory assessment of the integrating all potential newly arriving
post-naturalization process to understand refugees into host villages, with the
challenges encountered. ultimate goal of transforming 30% of
16 refugee situations
where local integration was
refugee camps into villages by 2024 to advanced, including as part of
Regional platforms such as the Economic the implementation of pledges
allow for more inclusive socioeconomic made at the Global Refugee
Community of West African States Forum. Target: 15.
integration.
(ECOWAS); the Economic and Monetary
Community of Central Africa (CEMAC); the Advances in the legal integration of
Intergovernmental Authority on Development refugees included the Democratic
(IGAD) support platform under the Nairobi Republic of the Congo’s commitment
process; the European Commission; the at the GRF to offer 10-year residence
Comprehensive Regional Protection and permits to the 200,000 Rwandan refugees
Solutions Framework (known as MIRPS by who have opted to stay there after
its Spanish acronym) were instrumental in the termination of their status clause.
advancing the integration agenda and In preparation, 75,000 Rwandans
promoting durable solutions including local were verified.
integration, leading to the development of
the Sudan and South Sudan durable As a result of UNHCR’s advocacy, Liberia
solutions initiative, the European Union’s committed to provide land for agriculture

Local integration and other local solutions Action Plan for Integration and Inclusion
2021-2027, as well as the San Salvador city
and permanent housing to 5,000 locally
integrated Ivorian refugees, in line with its
© UNHCR/Studio COSMO
Declaration to advocate the inclusion of local integration strategy.
displaced people and returnees.
Young Iraqi refugee Ali exchanges cultural and culinary experiences with his Belgian “buddy” Ignace, in Ghent, Belgium. Challenges and unmet needs
A dedicated UNHCR expert on HLP rights
supported operations in Ethiopia, Iraq and The COVID-19 pandemic hampered plans
the Philippines, enhancing prospects for and initiatives as priorities shifted. With
Global Strategic Priorities
Local integration
Results and achievements integration as a durable solution resulted in the socioeconomic integration of refugees stretched resources, further advancement
See p. 14 for GSP result the naturalization of 622 refugees in through out-of-camp HLP studies, scoping of socioeconomic inclusion and legal local
Local integration of refugees is a complex
Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and studies on camp transformation and integration was challenging.
and gradual process that involves refugees
Guinea-Bissau, and the issuance and HLP training.
establishing themselves and integrating In some situations, policy and legal
renewal of residence permits to
into the community in a country of asylum. restrictions prevented legal local
2,051 refugees in Albania, Azerbaijan, Operational highlights
During the Global Refugee Forum (GRF), integration from going ahead. The
Ghana and Namibia which will enable
several countries and other entities The World Bank IDA18 sub-window pandemic significantly affected the number
holders to legally work in the respective
pledged to advance and promote local supported the improvement of livelihoods of advocacy events. More investment was
countries and facilitate access to other
integration and other local solutions, such and basic public services for refugees and required to enable UNHCR to advocate
rights. Sociocultural and economic
as permitting long-term legal stay and host communities in Niger. This four-year with governments and popularize the
integration of refugees following
naturalization, including refugees in labour plan aims to reach a total of 160,000 refugees arguments in favour of the local integration
naturalization and granting of long-term
markets and education programmes, and through socioeconomic intervention. of refugees.
stay in these countries was supported by
42 situations where promoting social cohesion. However, in
counselling; awareness-raising about
refugees were supported to
2020 the pandemic became the overriding
integrate. Target: 42. rights; cultural education; engaging youth
2019 result: 42. priority.
in community-based activities; legislative
Civil registration, documentation and legal analysis and advice in the context of
stay options for refugees and asylum- employment-related cases; coexistence
seekers supported by legal services were a projects with development actors,
focus in several countries. UNHCR’s government, private sector and other
advocacy, facilitation and support for local stakeholders; engaging consultants to

232 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 233
 G LO B A L C O M M U N I C AT I O N S G LO B A L C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

The #IBelong campaign to end statelessness highlighted legislative breakthroughs by

© UNHCR/Tobin Jones
Côte d’Ivoire, the Dominican Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kenya, North Macedonia,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and other States. Goodwill Ambassador
Cate Blanchett’s video proved one of the campaign’s most successful products ever.
The campaign highlighted how people without a legal identity were at extra risk in the 500,000
engagements (likes,
pandemic and needed to be included in national COVID-19 responses. comments, shares and
video views) were
UNHCR’s highly committed group of Goodwill Ambassadors, high profile supporters generated by UNHCR’s
statelessness social
and digital influencers, with extensive audience reach despite COVID-19, created media posts.
opportunities for advocacy and fundraising partnerships and brought authentic refugee
voices and emergency appeals directly to the public. Their support for key UNHCR
priorities included COVID-19 messages, emergency appeals and virtual participation
in World Refugee Day, the #IBelong campaign and the first ever online Nansen
ceremony. Goodwill Ambassadors led virtual discussions, e-gaming tournaments, poetry
Goodwill Ambassadors
crowdsourcing, art contests, online concerts, music videos, comedy events and more. and high profile
Some of UNHCR’s most in-demand Goodwill Ambassadors include refugees whose supporters generated

lived experience brings power and authenticity to their advocacy. Together with high 5.6 million
engagements—likes,
profile supporters, they helped raise millions of dollars and generated thousands of comments, retweets and
shares—on UNHCR and
news items. Their reach of more than 177 million followers brought UNHCR record social
external channels and over
media engagement. 6,000 pieces of media
coverage.

© UNHCR/Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo
SPOTLIGHT:
The Nansen
Refugee Award
GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS 2020
Global Strategic Priorities UNHCR generates public support for refugees, IDPs and stateless people and provides The Nansen Refugee Award has a
Mobilization of support rich legacy. Since 1954, more than
See p. 17 for GSP result them with opportunities to speak out. It counters xenophobia and divisive rhetoric about
60 individuals and organizations have
refugees, displaced people, and asylum seekers, in line with the UN Strategy and Plan of been recognized for improving the lives
Action on Hate Speech. UNHCR engages in campaigns and events that are endorsed by and communities of forcibly displaced
a diverse corps of Goodwill Ambassadors and high-profile supporters, amplifying its people. The award ceremony is a UNHCR
signature event. In 2020, UNHCR
messaging around the world. honoured Mayerlín Vergara Pérez, a
human rights activist and the regional
Inspired by the battle against COVID-19 and worldwide demonstrations for racial justice,
coordinator for Fundación Renacer in Colombia. Ms. Pérez has worked to end the sexual exploitation of
UNHCR’s World Refugee Day (WRD) theme, “Every action counts, everyone can make a children and adolescents, many of whom are refugees in Colombia. The prize of $150,000 awarded to
The WRD 2020 emoji was difference”, served as a call for equality. Videos and stories featured refugees fighting Ms. Pérez was jointly donated by the Swiss and Norwegian Governments.
created by O’Plérou, the pandemic and the organization’s determination to stay the course despite the added
a designer and refugee Four regional winners received a Nansen certificate:
advocate from Côte d’Ivoire, in burden of COVID-19. Most events were held virtually and many were highlighted,
partnership with Twitter. · Ms. Sabuni Francoise Chikunda, a refugee teacher and founder of The Women’s Centre, which helps
including those held by partners, on UNHCR’s Global Website. victims of sexual and gender-based violence in Uganda.
On WRD, the #WithRefugees coalition—backed by faith-based organizations, · Ms. Rozma Ghafouri, an Afghan refugee in the Islamic Republic of Iran who taught sports to help
businesses, universities, NGOs, private sector partners and over 200 cities—sent a refugee children get off the streets and into school.
message of inclusion with a positive narrative about refugees in communities, helping · Ms. Tetiana Barantsova, human rights activist and co-founder of AMI-Skhid, an NGO advocating
for the protection of IDPs with disabilities in Ukraine.
UNHCR mobilize new audiences. Faith-based members acknowledged their special
55.2 million combined
responsibility to tackle xenophobia. More than 800 people registered for a joint UNHCR- · Dr. Rana Dajani, a scientist and founder of the “We love reading” project, which makes reading
followers of the #WithRefugee
Coalition were reached by
and learning accessible to refugee children.
Council of Europe webinar marking WRD, “Creating inclusive cities: everyone can make
social media posts on
WRD celebrations. a difference”.

234 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 235
 EXCOM MEMBERS
ANNEXES AND PARTIES TO CONVENTIONS

MEMBERS OF UNHCR’s EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

AND STATES PARTIES TO THE REFUGEE AND 1951 1967 1954 1961 1951 1967 1954 1961

STATELESSNESS CONVENTIONS
Gambia 1966 1967 2014 2014 Paraguay 1970 1970 2014 2012
Georgia 1999 1999 2011 2014 Peru 1964 1983 2014 2014
Germany 1953 1969 1976 1977 Philippines 1981 1981 2011
UNHCR is governed by the United Nations General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In 1958,
Ghana 1963 1968 Poland 1991 1991
ECOSOC established the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme (ExCom), pursuant to a resolution
of the General Assembly. Its main tasks are to approve the High Commissioner’s programmes, advise the High Greece 1960 1968 1975 Portugal 1960 1976 2012 2012

Commissioner in the exercise of his functions (mainly on protection issues), and oversee the Office’s finances and Guatemala 1983 1983 2000 2001 Republic of Korea 1992 1992 1962

administration. Guinea 1965 1968 1962 2014 Republic of Moldova 2002 2002 2012 2012
Guinea‑Bissau 1976 1976 2016 2016 Romania 1991 1991 2006 2006
ExCom holds an annual session in Geneva every October. The 71st session took place from 5 to 9 October 2020. Meetings Haiti 1984 1984 2018 2018 Russian Federation 1993 1993
of the Executive Committee’s Standing Committee are held at various dates throughout the year to carry on the work Holy See 1956 1967 Rwanda 1980 1980 2006 2006
between plenary sessions. Honduras 1992 1992 2012 2012 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2002
ExCom membership is on the widest possible geographical basis from those States (Members of the United Nations) with Hungary 1989 1989 2001 2009 Saint Vincent and the 1993 2003 1999
Iceland Grenadines
a demonstrated interest in, and devotion to, the solution of refugee problems. By the end of 2020, there were 106 ExCom 1955 1968
members in the following table–in blue–which also shows the States parties to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status India Samoa 1988 1994

of Refugees and its Protocol of 1967 and to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Iran (Islamic Republic of) 1976 1976 Sao Tome and Principe 1978 1978

Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Ireland 1956 1968 1962 1973 Senegal 1963 1967 2005 2005

Israel 1954 1968 1958 Serbia 2001 2001 2001 2011

Italy 1954 1972 1962 2015 Seychelles 1980 1980

Jamaica 1964 1980 2013 Sierra Leone 1981 1981 2016 2016

Japan 1981 1982 Slovakia 1993 1993 2000 2000

Conventions on
the Status of Jordan Slovenia 1992 1992 1992
ExCom members (in blue) Convention Stateless Persons and Kazakhstan 1999 1999 Solomon Islands 1995 1995
and other States parties relating to the Status the Reduction of Somalia 1978 1978
to the Conventions of Refugees and its Statelessness Kenya 1966 1981
Protocol Kiribati 1983 1983 South Africa 1996 1996
1954 1961 Kyrgyzstan 1996 1996 South Sudan 2018 2018
1951 1967 Spain 1978 1978 1997 2018
1951 1967 1954 1961 Latvia 1997 1997 1999 1992
Lebanon Sudan 1974 1974

Lesotho 1981 1981 1974 2004 Suriname 1978 1978

Afghanistan 2005 2005 Canada 1969 1969 1978
Liberia 1964 1980 1964 2004 Swaziland 2000 1969 1999 1999
Albania 1992 1992 2003 2003 Central African Republic 1962 1967
(the) Libya 1989 1989 Sweden 1954 1967 1965 1969
Algeria 1963 1967 1964
Chad 1981 1981 1999 1999 Liechtenstein 1957 1968 2009 2009 Switzerland 1955 1968 1972
Angola 1981 1981 2019 2019
Chile 1972 1972 2018 2018 Lithuania 1997 1997 2000 2013 Tajikistan 1993 1993
Antigua and Barbuda 1995 1995 1988
China 1982 1982 Luxembourg 1953 1971 1960 2017 Thailand
Argentina 1961 1967 1972 2014
Colombia 1961 1980 2019 2014 Madagascar 1967 Timor-Leste 2003 2003
Armenia 1993 1993 1994 1994
Congo 1962 1970 Malawi 1987 1987 2009 Togo 1962 1969
Australia 1954 1973 1973 1973
Costa Rica 1978 1978 1977 1977 Mali 1973 1973 2016 2016 Trinidad and Tobago 2000 2000 1966
Austria 1954 1973 2008 1972
Côte d’Ivoire 1961 1970 2013 2013 Malta 1971 1971 2019 Tunisia 1957 1968 1969 2000
Azerbaijan 1993 1993 1996 1996
Croatia 1992 1992 1992 2011 Mauritania 1987 1987 Turkey 1962 1968 2015
Bahamas (the) 1993 1993
Cyprus 1963 1968 Mexico 2000 2000 2000 Turkmenistan 1998 1998 2011 2012
Bangladesh
Czechia 1993 1993 2004 2001 Monaco 1954 2010 Tuvalu 1986 1986
Barbados 1972
Dem. Rep. of the Congo 1965 1975 Montenegro 2006 2006 2006 2013 Uganda 1976 1976 1965
Belarus 2001 2001
Denmark 1952 1968 1956 1977 Morocco 1956 1971 Ukraine 2002 2002 2013 2013
Belgium 1953 1969 1960 2014
Djibouti 1977 1977 Mozambique 1983 1989 2014 2014 United Kingdom of
Belize 1990 1990 2006 2015 Great Britain 1954 1968 1959 1966
Benin 1962 1970 2011 2011 Dominica 1994 1994 Namibia 1995 1995 and Northern Ireland
Bolivia Dominican Republic 1978 1978 Nauru 2011 2011 United Republic of
1982 1982 1983 1983 1964 1968
(Plurinational State of) Ecuador 1955 1969 1970 2012 Netherlands 1956 1968 1962 1985 Tanzania
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1993 1993 1993 1996 Egypt 1981 1981 New Zealand 1960 1973 2006 United States of America 1968
In 2020, North Macedonia
Botswana 1969 1969 1969 El Salvador 1983 1983 2015 Nicaragua 1980 1980 2013 2013 Uruguay 1970 1970 2004 2001
acceded to the 1961
Brazil 1960 1972 1996 2007 Equatorial Guinea 1986 1986 Niger 1961 1970 2014 1985 Venezuela 1986 Convention on
Bulgaria 1993 1993 2012 2012 Estonia 1997 1997 Nigeria 1967 1968 2011 2011 (Bolivarian Republic of)
the reduction of
Burkina Faso 1980 1980 2012 2017 Ethiopia 1969 1969 North Macedonia 1994 1994 1994 2020 Yemen 1980 1980 statelessness.
Burundi 1963 1971 Fiji 1972 1972 1972 Norway 1953 1967 1956 1971 Zambia 1969 1969 1974
Cabo Verde 1987 Finland 1968 1968 1968 2008 Pakistan Zimbabwe 1981 1981 1998
Cambodia 1992 1992 France 1954 1971 1960 Panama 1978 1978 2011 2011
Cameroon 1961 1967 Gabon 1964 1973 Papua New Guinea 1986 1986 Total Parties 146. 147 94 75

236 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 237
 ACRONYMS
3RP Regional Refugee and DAFI German Albert Einstein HLP Housing, land and property MAM Moderate acute RRP Refugee response plan UNRWA United Nations Relief
Resilience Plan in response Academic Scholarship malnutrition and Works Agency for
to the Syria crisis Programme for Refugees HRP Humanitarian response RSD Refugee status Palestine Refugees in the
plan MIRPS Comprehensive determination Near East
3YS Three-year strategy DRC The Democratic Republic Regional Protection and
(2019-2021) on resettlement of the Congo IASC Inter-Agency Standing Solutions Framework in SADC Southern African UNSDCF United Nations
and complementary pathways Committee Latin America Development Community Sustainable Development
EASO European Asylum Cooperation Framework
AAP Accountability to affected Support Office ICRC International Committee MUAC Mid-upper arm SDGs Sustainable
people of the Red Cross circumference (nutrition) Development Goals UNV United Nations
ECOWAS Economic Volunteers
BIMS Biometric Identity Community of West African ICVA International Council NFIs Non-food items (also SENS Standardized expanded
Management System States of Voluntary Agencies known as core relief items) nutrition survey (UNHCR) WASH Water, sanitation
and hygiene
BMZ German Federal Ministry ETM Emergency Transit IDA International Development NGO Non-governmental SFCA Strategic framework
of Economic Cooperation Mechanism (for UNHCR) Association (World Bank) organization for climate action (UNHCR) WFP World Food Programme
and Development
EU European Union IDP Internally displaced NRC Norwegian Refugee Council Sida Swedish International WHO World Health
CCCM Camp coordination and person Development Cooperation Organization
camp management (cluster) ExCom Executive Committee OAU Organization of African Agency
of the High Commissioner’s IFRC International Federation Unity (replaced by African WRD WORLD REFUGEE DAY
CEB United Nations System Programme of Red Cross and Red Crescent Union in 2002) SSAR Solutions Strategy (for UNHCR)
Chief Executives Board Societies for Afghan Refugees
for Coordination GAM Global acute malnutrition OCHA Office for the
IGAD Intergovernmental Coordination of Humanitarian UN Women United Nations
CEC Clean Energy Challenge GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance Authority on Development Affairs (UN) Entity for Gender Equality and
(for UNHCR) the Empowerment of Women
GCR Global Compact IGO Inspector General’s office OECD Organization for
CEMAC Economic and on Refugees (for UNHCR) Economic Cooperation and UNAIDS Joint United Nations
Monetary Community of Development Programme on HIV/AIDS
GHRP COVID-19 Global ILO International Labour
Central Africa
Humanitarian Response Plan Organization OHCHR Office of the United UNDP United Nations
CERF Central Emergency Nations High Commissioner Development Programme
GP20 Plan of action for the IOM International Organization
Response Fund (UN) for Human Rights (UN)
20th anniversary of the for Migration UNESCO United Nations
COMPASS Planning, Guiding Principles on Internal PDM Post-distribution Educational, Scientific and
Displacement IPSAS International Public Cultural Organization
budgeting and reporting monitoring
Sector Accounting Standards
system (for UNHCR)
GPC Global Protection Cluster PSEA Protection from sexual UNFPA United Nations
IYCF infant and young child Population Fund
COVAX COVID-19 Vaccines exploitation and abuse
GRF Global Refugee Forum feeding programmes
Global Access
PPE Personal protective UN-Habitat United Nations
GSC Global Shelter Cluster JDC Joint Data Center on Human Settlements
CRIs Core relief items equipment
Forced Displacement (UNHCR/ Programme
(for UNHCR, also known GSPs Global Strategic World Bank) PRIMES Population
as non-food items) Priorities (for UNHCR)
registration and identity UNICEF United Nations
JICA Japan International Children’s Fund
CRISP Sustainable HALEP High Alert List for management ecosystem
Cooperation Agency
resettlement and Emergency Preparedness (UNHCR)
UNITAR United Nations
complementary pathways JPO Junior Professional Officer
RMRP Regional Refugee Institute for Training and
initiative 2020-2022 HIV/AIDS Human
and Migrants Response Plan Research
(UNHCR and IOM) Immunodeficiency Virus and LGBTIQ+ Lesbian, gay,
Acquired Immunodeficiency bisexual, transgender, intersex for refugees and migrants
UNODC United Nations Office
CRRF Comprehensive Syndrome and queer from the Bolivarian Republic
on Drugs and Crime
Refugee Response Framework of Venezuela

238 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0 239
 CREDITS

UNHCR wishes to acknowledge the contributions of all staff and consultants at Headquarters
and in the field who have participated in the preparation of the narrative, financial and graphic
components of this document.

Concept design: UNHCR

Layout design, production and printing: Printing section, Production and support service,
United Nations Office – Geneva (2107130E).

The maps in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of
UNHCR concerning the legal status of any country or territory or area, of its authorities,
or the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

Data in this report are drawn from the most recent statistics available to UNHCR, and from
other United Nations agencies. For any corrigenda found subsequent to printing, please visit
the Publications page on Global Focus website (https://reporting.unhcr.org/publications).

All amounts are in US dollars unless otherwise specified.

UNHCR
PO BOX 2500
1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland
Email: [email protected]
https://reporting.unhcr.org and www.unhcr.org
Twitter@UNHCRgov | Twitter@refugees | Facebook | Instagram

Cover photo:
Rofiqua Begum, a refugee in Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, sits in front of the
shelter where she lives with her four children.
© UNHCR/Kamrul Hasan

240 U N H C R G LO B A L R E P O R T 2 02 0
reporting.unhcr.org
www.unhcr.org

Published by UNHCR
PO Box 2500
1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland

For information and inquiries

please contact:
DRRM
[email protected]
[email protected]

Twitter@UNHCRgov | Twitter@refugees
Facebook | Instagram