What UNHCR India does

UNHCR India is the India country office of UNHCR (the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), the UN agency mandated by the UN General Assembly on December 14, 1950 to provide international protection to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people, and stateless persons. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, UNHCR operates in 122 countries with 10,356 personnel and currently protects or assists 129.4 million forcibly displaced and stateless people worldwide. UNHCR India, based in Delhi, focuses on refugee protection, advocacy, and assistance for refugee populations within India, including Rohingya, Afghan, Tibetan, and Sri Lankan Tamil populations, working through partnerships with the Government of India, civil society organizations, and the private sector.

UNHCR's core technical infrastructure includes a cloud-based refugee registration system that has moved 17 million individual records to the cloud and serves 100,000 displaced people daily, alongside the UNHCR Data Portal for global forced displacement statistics and the Refworld legal database covering legislation and case law on refugee protection. The organization's product portfolio includes MADE51, a social enterprise marketplace for refugee-crafted handicrafts that supports refugee livelihoods and economic inclusion, and the UNHCR Innovation Service focused on developing technology-based solutions to displacement challenges. Cash-based interventions using payment cards and mobile money are a significant operational modality, delivering direct financial assistance to refugees while supporting local economies.

UNHCR operates on a non-commercial humanitarian funding model and charges no fees for its protection and assistance services. Funding derives from voluntary contributions including government funding from UN member states, private sector partnerships (which now represent 39% of unearmarked funds), individual donations, and Islamic philanthropy through Zakat and Sadaqah contributions. UNHCR India works through a multi-channel go-to-market approach including field operations, implementing partner networks (over 1,200 funded partners globally, with local and national responders receiving 57% of funding), cash-based interventions, and awareness campaigns such as World Refugee Day and the Global Refugee Forum. Private sector income has increased by over 70% since 2018, reflecting strategic diversification away from government dependency amid rising humanitarian needs.

Name

UNHCR India

Legal name

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Website

https://unhcr.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

UNHCR India is the India country office of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Based in Delhi, it provides protection, advocacy, and assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons within India under UNHCR's 1950 UN mandate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Assistance and Refugee Protection Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Housing Services (62422), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee Reception & Registration (BPADAHAA), Asylum & Refugee Status Determination (RSD) Support (BPADAHAB), Migrant & Refugee Legal Aid and Documentation Services (BPADAHAE), Emergency Shelter, NFIs & Winterization for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAG), United Nations System & Specialized Agencies (BPADAAAA), Refugee/Migrant Health & Resettlement Health Units (HLAJAAAJ)

Keywords

• Humanitarian protection services
• Refugee assistance programs
• Emergency humanitarian response
• Asylum seeker support
• Displacement crisis management

Headquarters

HQ city

Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Contributions: Voluntary contributions from United Nations member states and intergovernmental organizations as primary funding source
2. Private Sector Partnerships: Corporate donations, philanthropic contributions, and private foundation grants. Private sector income accounts for 39% of unearmarked funds as of recent reporting
3. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals through website, regular giving programs, and emergency appeals
4. MADE51 Social Enterprise: Handicraft marketplace featuring refugee-made products, with proceeds supporting refugee artisans and UNHCR programs

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global humanitarian organization providing international protection and humanitarian assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people, and stateless persons. Its core offerings include emergency response (shelter, food, water, sanitation, medical care), refugee status determination and legal protection, durable solutions (voluntary return, resettlement, local integration), education, livelihoods and economic inclusion, and cash-based interventions. The organization also operates MADE51, a refugee artisan marketplace, and the Innovation Service to develop new solutions for forced displacement.

Product overview

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global humanitarian organization that provides protection and assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people, and stateless persons. UNHCR's operations span emergency response, protection, and long-term solutions including education, livelihoods, settlement, water and sanitation, cash-based interventions, and climate action. The organization offers various programs and services including MADE51 (a refugee artisan craft product line) and the UNHCR Innovation Service, all focused on safeguarding rights and building better futures for displaced populations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MADE51: A brand featuring hand-made products crafted by refugee artisans, providing economic opportunities for displaced people
• HELP

Products and services

• MADE51 A global artisan brand and social enterprise marketplace featuring hand-crafted products made by refugee artisans, supporting refugee livelihoods and economic inclusion through the sale of hand-made pieces.
• UNHCR Innovation Service A service focused on developing innovative solutions to address forced displacement challenges through technology and new approaches.
• HELP Online Portal Online portal providing information and services for refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless persons seeking assistance.
• Cash-Based Interventions Direct financial assistance to refugees through payment cards and mobile money, allowing refugees to meet essential needs in a cost-effective manner while supporting local economies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50 million refugees helped to successfully restart their lives since 1950
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered regional, major and core.

• Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI)regionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2026UNHCR and SICCI have an ongoing partnership to commemorate World Refugee Day annually. The partnership focuses on private sector engagement for refugee inclusion, employment access, and long-term solutions. An annual UNHCR-SICCI Partnership Report is released during World Refugee Day events.
• Education Cannot Wait (ECW)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2025ECW announced additional US$2 million funding to support Sudanese refugee education in Chad, targeting children affected by the Sudanese crisis. Total ECW investments in Chad surpass US$68 million since 2017, helping reach children with education access, mental health support, and community structures.
• Private Sector (Brazil)regionalGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025UNHCR is calling for increased support from the private sector in Brazil due to declining funding and rising humanitarian needs, with a projected budget of $47.1 million for 2026. Private-sector engagement is highlighted as important to sustain operations and support marginalized populations.
• Governments (UNHCR Member States)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNHCR collaborates with governments as primary partners in refugee protection and burden-sharing. States are responsible for protecting refugees on their territory and treat them according to internationally recognized standards under the 1951 Convention.
• UN and International OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with sister UN agencies and international organizations including IOM for migration responses, WHO for health programs, UNICEF for child protection, and WFP for food security.
• Non-governmental OrganizationscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOver 1,200 funded partners including NGOs and refugee-led organizations implementing humanitarian programs. Local and national responders including refugee-led organizations receive 57% of UNHCR's funding.
• Global Compact on Refugees Signatory StatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll 193 UN Member States affirmed the Global Compact on Refugees in 2018, committing to more predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing for refugee situations. The Compact provides a blueprint for governments, international organizations, and stakeholders to support host communities and refugees.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF): Medical humanitarian organization delivering frontline healthcare in refugee crises and conflict zones. Frequently co-located with UNHCR field operations and a comparable peer on the public-health side of refugee response.
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Long-established international humanitarian organization with a parallel mandate for protection and assistance in conflict, frequently co-coordinating with UNHCR on refugee and IDP situations.
• UN Children's Fund (UNICEF): UN agency delivering child protection, education, and health services in refugee contexts. UNHCR cites UNICEF as a core sister-agency partner, making it a natural operational peer on refugee child outcomes.
• UN World Food Programme (WFP): UN agency providing food assistance to refugees and IDPs. UNHCR and WFP operate joint programming on cash/food transfers and refugee food security, making WFP a closely related operational peer.
• UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR Global): The parent multilateral agency headquartered in Geneva that the India country office serves under. Included as the global parent reference for scale, mandate, and funding.

Direct peers

• International Rescue Committee (IRC): Major NGO delivering emergency relief, protection, and durable-solutions programming for refugees and conflict-affected populations across dozens of countries, often as an UNHCR implementing partner.
• International Organization for Migration (IOM): UN sister agency also operating globally on migration, displacement, and humanitarian assistance. IOM and UNHCR are the two principal UN bodies covering cross-border displacement and frequently co-lead field responses.
• Danish Refugee Council (DRC): Large humanitarian NGO specializing in displacement, refugee protection, and asylum programming across conflict zones — a direct implementing partner comparable in mission scope to UNHCR's field operations.
• Mercy Corps: Global humanitarian organization delivering emergency response, food security, and livelihoods programming for refugees and displaced populations in fragile states, comparable in field scope and partner-model delivery.

Emerging players

• Refugees International: Advocacy and field-research organization focused exclusively on refugee rights and durable solutions. Smaller than UNHCR but operates in the same advocacy and policy space, particularly around donor accountability and host-state responsibility.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unhcr
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/unhcr
• Facebookfacebook.com/IndiaUNHCR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unhcr
• Instagraminstagram.com/refugees
• TikToktiktok.com/@refugees

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UNHCR India