Press Room ::Facts & Figures

Who are Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced People?

The terms Refugees and Asylum Seekers apply to people who flee across international borders.

A Refugee is a person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social groups or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself or herself to the protection of that country. In addition, UNHCR’s mandate is extended to any person who is outside his or her country of origin and unable to return there owing to serious and indiscriminate threats to life, physical integrity or freedom resulting from generalized violence or events seriously disturbing public order.

An Internally Displaced Person is an individual who has been forced or obliged to flee from their home or place of habitual residence but who has not crossed an internationally recognized state border.

An Asylum Seeker is an individual who is seeking international protection.

Stateless people are persons who are not considered as nationals by any state under the operation of its law, including persons whose nationality is not established.

UNHCR is the abbreviated form of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Source: UNHCR

USA for UNHCR is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., focusing on raising funds solely in the U.S. to support the life-saving work of more than 6,000 UNHCR staffers around the world.