Quotes About UNHCR

The motivating force behind the UNDHR and the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees was a desire to ensure that never again would there be such suffering as that experienced in the wake of the Second World War. Unfortunately that is exactly what is happening now.

There should be a global commitment to try and get rid of UNHCR refugee camps and long-term people in those camps.

We are also assisting the refugees who have fled across the border to Chad. As many of them have been subject to attacks by militia crossing from Sudan, UNHCR is mounting a major logistical operation to establish camps and transfer refugees away from the border zone.

In Turkey, there are no 'refugee camps.' There are Turkish 'temporary protection shelters.' The Kurdis had no papers, no UNHCR refugee designations, and no passports, and therefore did not qualify for exit visas.

I am so impressed by UNHCR staff who live and work side by side with the refugees. It's really remarkable.

In October 2016, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said: The use of cash-based assistance has been a real game changer in the way we help refugees and we have now decided to make it a worldwide policy and expand it to all our operations, where feasible … Refugees know best what they need. The broader use of cash-based assistance means that many more will be able to decide how to manage their family's budget. This will help them lead more dignified and normal lives.