UNHCR

What UNHCR does

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was established by the UN General Assembly in 1950 and is the only UN body with a specific mandate for refugee protection and the custodian of the 1951 Refugee Convention. It delivers emergency response, ongoing care (healthcare, education, livelihoods, cash assistance), voluntary repatriation, and global advocacy to forcibly displaced populations — refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), stateless persons, and returnees. By end-2025, UNHCR served a record 117.8 million people globally, with operations spanning more than 130 countries and field offices backed by seven strategic relief supply hubs (Copenhagen, Amman, Nairobi, Panama City, Douala, Dubai, Accra) capable of deploying materials for up to 1 million people within 72 hours of an emergency. Its technology stack includes biometric ID registration systems, mobile connectivity platforms, blockchain-based aid distribution, and AI translation tools for field communication.

UK for UNHCR is the agency's UK national charity partner (registered charity in England and Wales, number 1183415), tasked with raising private-sector funds and awareness. In 2025 UK for UNHCR raised £15.3 million, sending a minimum of 75% directly to UNHCR ground operations, with cumulative funding under its current CEO exceeding £100 million. Revenue streams include individual giving (one-off and monthly Direct Debit subscriptions), corporate partnerships (ANTA, Mango, MTN), philanthropic trusts and foundations, legacy giving via the Farewill partnership, and innovative mechanisms such as the Cardano Impact for UNHCR ETP — the world's first regulated blockchain-backed Exchange-Traded Product on the SIX Swiss Exchange, channeling Cardano staking rewards into recurring refugee-programme funding. Multi-channel fundraising combines online donation portals, face-to-face (via Zen Fundraising Ltd) and phone fundraising (via Angel and Stratcom), digital campaigns (Hope on Repeat, Gamechanging Team, A Great British Welcome), and the annual Refugee Week activation.

Name

UNHCR

Legal name

United Kingdom for UNHCR

Website

https://unrefugees.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency, mandated under the 1951 Refugee Convention to protect forcibly displaced populations. UK for UNHCR is its UK national charity partner, raising private-sector funds across 130+ countries for emergency shelter, healthcare, education, and protection services serving 117.8 million displaced people.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Relief and Refugee Protection Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee Camp Coordination & Management (CCCM) (BPADAHAC), Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC), Cash Assistance & Social Safety Net Delivery for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAH), Emergency Shelter, NFIs & Winterization for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAG), Refugee/Migrant Health & Resettlement Health Units (HLAJAAAJ)

Keywords

• Humanitarian relief services
• Refugee protection programs
• Emergency response aid
• Displacement support services
• Voluntary repatriation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Voluntary Donations and Fundraising: UNHCR relies primarily on voluntary donations from individuals, corporations, trusts, and foundations. UK for UNHCR, the national charity partner, raises funds through individual giving, community fundraising, corporate partnerships, and special appeals. Only about 2% of UNHCR's budget comes from the UN regular budget.
2. Government Contributions: UNHCR receives contributions from government donors to fund humanitarian operations globally.
3. Philanthropic Partnerships: Partnerships with philanthropists and trust and foundations provide strategic giving to support UNHCR's humanitarian operations.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners provide financial support, pro bono expertise, in-kind contributions, employee engagement, and cause-related marketing campaigns.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) delivers humanitarian relief and protection services to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and stateless people across more than 130 countries. Its core offering comprises emergency response (shelter, medical care, water and sanitation, nutrition within 72 hours), ongoing care (healthcare, education, livelihoods, cash assistance), voluntary repatriation support, and global advocacy under its UN mandate as custodian of the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Product overview

UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) operates as a humanitarian organization providing emergency response, ongoing care, and sustainable solutions for forcibly displaced populations worldwide. The organization offers a portfolio of services including rapid deployment emergency assistance (shelter, medical care, nutrition), long-term care programs (healthcare, education, livelihoods, cash assistance), voluntary repatriation support, and global advocacy. Fundraising activities are conducted through donation platforms, Face to Face fundraising, corporate partnerships, and innovative financial products like the blockchain-backed Cardano ETP. Public engagement campaigns include the Gamechanging Team (football initiative with refugee players), Hope on Repeat (music campaign), and Climate Action programs. UNHCR's operations span over 130 countries addressing crises including Ukraine, Sudan, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Syria, and climate-related displacement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gamechanging Team: A symbolic line-up of players with a refugee or displacement background, representing what is possible when people forced to flee are offered safety, opportunity and the chance to reach their full potential. Launched in celebration of FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026.
• Hope on Repeat
• A Great British Welcome

Products and services

• Emergency Response Services Rapid-deployment emergency humanitarian assistance including shelter, water and sanitation, nutrition, emergency medical care, and basic survival kits. UNHCR maintains relief items to protect up to 1,000,000 people in single influxes via seven strategic hubs. Intended for governments and humanitarian partners responding to newly displaced populations in conflict and disaster zones.
• Ongoing Care Programs Long-term support services including cash assistance, healthcare, livelihoods programs, women and girls protection services, and education access for refugees in protracted displacement situations.
• Voluntary Repatriation Programs facilitating safe and dignified voluntary return of refugees to their home countries, including 'go-and-see' visits, property restitution support, and transportation assistance.
• Global Advocacy International advocacy work including the Global Compact on Refugees framework, hosting the quadrennial Global Refugee Forum, and national-level policy advocacy for refugee rights to healthcare, education, and employment.
• Climate Action Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 8.08 million people received protection services in 143 countries in 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• MTNcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026At MWC Barcelona 2026, MTN and UNHCR announced a humanitarian partnership to improve digital access for displaced populations. This partnership addresses connectivity challenges faced by refugees, enabling access to information, services, and communication.
• ANTA GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025ANTA Group's partnership with UNHCR supported over 300,000 displaced children in Africa over three years, providing financial aid and sports equipment. The partnership focuses on education and sports programs for displaced youth.
• MangocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2025Mango and UNHCR announced a collaboration to support university education for refugee women through the DAFI scholarship program, running from 2025 to 2027, aiming to award 96 scholarships primarily in Asia to women from Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Pakistan.
• Cardano FoundationflagshipTechnology or Integration · 22 October 2025The Cardano Impact for UNHCR ETP (CASL) is the world's first regulated Exchange-Traded Product backed by Cardano, launched on SIX Swiss Exchange, designed to generate recurring funding for UNHCR by channeling blockchain staking rewards into refugee support programs.
• Technology PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationUNHCR partners with technology companies for innovations including biometric ID systems, mobile connectivity, blockchain aid distribution, AI translation tools, and remote work platforms to support displaced populations.
• Zen Fundraising LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK for UNHCR works with Zen Fundraising Ltd for face-to-face fundraising campaigns across the UK, including private sites and street locations.
• Angel and StratcomcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK for UNHCR runs phone fundraising campaigns in partnership with Angel (020 3455 2949) and Stratcom (020 8819 4852) to reach potential donors.
• FarewillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUK for UNHCR partnered with Farewill to offer supporters free Will writing services online or over the phone, supporting legacy giving.
• WeWorkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWeWork provides UK for UNHCR with free office premises in London as part of a refugee initiative to expand opportunities for displaced people.
• Save the ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSave the Children collaborates with UNHCR on the Education Cannot Wait-funded program in Uganda's Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, improving teacher training, resource availability, and inclusive education for refugee and host community children.
• Humanitarian Mission ProliskaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNHCR partner providing warm clothes and blankets to displaced people in Ukraine, such as Anzhela and Liliya in Sloviansk.
• Breaking BarriersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK for UNHCR refers supporters to Breaking Barriers for volunteering opportunities including interpreter and translator roles to help refugees integrate into UK society.
• British Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish Red Cross is referenced as a key refugee organization in the UK volunteer ecosystem alongside Refugee Action, Refugee Council, Scottish Refugee Council, and Welsh Refugee Council.

Scale indicators26 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Rescue Committee (IRC): Major humanitarian NGO delivering emergency aid, healthcare, education, and protection services to refugees and displaced populations in crisis-affected countries. Closest peer to UNHCR by mission, beneficiary profile, and operating model.
• UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees): UN agency serving 6 million Palestine refugees across the Middle East with education, healthcare, and emergency relief. Direct institutional peer sharing the UN refugee-protection mandate ecosystem.
• Mercy Corps: Global humanitarian and development organization supporting conflict- and disaster-affected populations, including refugees, with emergency response, livelihoods, and cash assistance programs.
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Global humanitarian organization providing protection and assistance to conflict-affected populations, including displaced civilians. Comparable scale, mandate scope, and operating presence in conflict zones.
• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF): International medical-humanitarian organization delivering emergency healthcare in conflict and disaster zones, including refugee contexts. Peer via overlapping field operations and crisis-response capabilities.
• International Organization for Migration (IOM): UN-related organization leading global migration management, including assistance to migrants, refugees, and IDPs. Closely coordinates with UNHCR and shares beneficiary base across humanitarian operations.
• Save the Children: International NGO delivering humanitarian aid, education, and child protection in conflict and refugee contexts. Confirmed partner of UNHCR (Uganda Kiryandongo education program) and a direct operational peer for refugee programming.
• Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC): International NGO delivering protection, shelter, education, and livelihoods support to displaced populations in 40+ countries. Direct operational peer with similar beneficiary segments and program mix.
• Danish Refugee Council (DRC): Humanitarian NGO operating in displacement contexts with protection, durable solutions, and humanitarian response programs. Peer confirmed by data showing DRC worked closely with UNHCR across Asia and the Middle East.

Emerging players

• Refugees International: Advocacy and policy organization focused on displacement, providing analysis and recommendations to governments and humanitarian actors. Complementary peer operating at the policy/advocacy layer adjacent to UNHCR's mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unrefugeesuk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@UNRefugeesUK
• Facebookfacebook.com/unrefugeesuk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ukforunhcr
• Instagraminstagram.com/unrefugeesuk
• TikToktiktok.com/@unrefugeesuk

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UNHCR