The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a non-profit organization, but it is not a non-governmental organization (NGO). Instead, it is a specialized agency of the United Nations, established in 1950 to provide protection and assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons around the world.
UNHCR is funded primarily by donations from governments, private individuals, corporations, and other organizations. The organization uses these funds to provide essential services to refugees and other displaced persons, including shelter, food, water, healthcare, education, and legal protection. UNHCR’s work is guided by the principles of impartiality, neutrality, and independence, which are essential to its ability to provide protection and assistance to refugees and other displaced persons, regardless of their political or social affiliations.