70 million refugees

Worldwide more than 70 million people have fled their homes to escape violent conflicts, gross human rights violations, the effects of climate change, environmental degradation and natural disasters. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas met with Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, today at the Federal Foreign Office on the sidelines of a conference on climate and security.
Their talks focused on the conflicts in Syria and Somalia and on how best to protect and provide humanitarian assistance to displaced people from those regions. Germany will work with Mr Grandi to champion the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees, one of the key documents on managing major refugee situations – as Maas reaffirmed in his talks with the High Commissioner.

Meeting with Germany’s Human Rights Commissioner Bärbel Kofler

High Commissioner Grandi also held talks with Bärbel Kofler, the Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid at the Federal Foreign Office, who likewise works on the burning issues relating to the topic of refugees.

UNHCR – a central partner for Germany

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) commenced its work in 1951 and has its headquarters in Geneva. UNHCR was charged by the United Nations General Assembly with the task of providing international protection and seeking permanent solutions for refugees worldwide. At the end of 2018 the overwhelming majority of UN member states adopted the Global Compact on Refugees. Germany firmly endorses this document’s core aim of sharing responsibility for refugees more widely around the world, and will play an active role in implementing the Compact.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is Germany’s central partner as regards the protection of refugees worldwide. Germany is UNHCR’s second largest donor and is itself one of the countries that admits the highest number of refugees.