Who provides protection and assistance to refugees and IDPs?
The protection of civilians is first and foremost the responsibility of states, including in times of conflict and crisis. When a state is unable or unwilling to provide such protection, the international humanitarian community, including the United Nations agencies and other organizations, must step in until the state is able to reassume is obligations.The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), based in Geneva, Switzerland, is mandated to provide protection and assistance to refugees throughout the world.Additional UN agencies also play an important role in providing assistance to refugees and the internally displaced. The World Food Programme (WFP) delivers critical food assistance to populations displaced by conflict. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) provides protection for women and children in emergencies.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is mandated to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence,
