Worldwide there are more than 43 million people on the run. The main intention of the refugee agency is to allow refugees to lead a self determined life in safety and dignity. The organisation performs lifesaving steps and overcomes administrative barriers in emergency cases. The organisation is looking to improve the refugees' living conditions, encourage their integration in the host country or their return to the country of origin.

For that purpose the UN refugee agency strengthens refugees in their effort to support themselves. The organisation provides education and professional training as well as psychological care for traumatized refugees. Another target is to build up social awareness and understanding of refugees and their situation and to inform the public about causes and effects of refugee movements.

The UN refugee agency is the German donation fellow of UNHCR and was founded in 1980 as a non-profit association. The administrative office of the UN refugee agency maintains constant contact and exchange with the UNHCR office in Berlin as well as with the UNHCR headquarters in Geneva.