UNHCR staff helping a Congolese refugee girl to go on a boat that will get her and her family back to DRC.
© UNHCR / Leonora Baumann

Australia for UNHCR unites caring Australians – individuals, community groups and businesses – to support people fleeing conflict, disaster and persecution.

We advocate and fundraise for refugee protection, emergency aid, and long-term support and solutions, helping the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reach millions of vulnerable people each year.

With an unprecedented 120 million people now displaced worldwide, our work is more urgent than ever.

Australians empowering refugees

Australia for UNHCR enables Australians to contribute to global humanitarian relief work. Support comes in many different forms, such as donations to our emergency appeals, regular giving, community fundraising events, major gifts and corporate partnerships.

Australian gifts provide life-saving aid to civilians fleeing the frontlines of conflict. They also support longer-term projects in healthcare, education and livelihoods.

Nobody chooses to be a refugee, but we can all choose to stand with refugees in their time of need.

A leading refugee voice in Australia 

Australia for UNHCR was established in 2000 and, with the support of generous Australians, is now one of the major private sector donors to UNHCR globally.

Australia for UNHCR is also at the forefront of education and advocacy, working with media, ambassadors and influencers to educate Australians about the plight of displaced people around the world and UNHCR’s role in protecting them.

Australia for UNHCR is committed to operating at the highest ethical standards, and is a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA), and the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA).

About UNHCR

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was established in 1950 to assist the millions of people displaced by World War II.

Today, UNHCR works in more than 130 countries around the world. UNHCR supports refugees fleeing across borders, people displaced within their own country, people seeking asylum, and people returning home or resettling abroad.

Our Organisation

Families displaced by the ongoing conflict in the Tigray region find shelter in an IDP site called Five Angels in Shire where UNHCR has set up shelter to provide a roof to displaced families.

Our Board

Trudi Mitchell speaks to Grace, a young Congolese refugee living at the Kyaka II Refugee Settlement in Kyegegwa District in western Uganda about her future aspirations to learn hairdressing and open her own business.

Our Team

Akec Makur Chuot, Special representative at Australia For UNHCR World Refugee Day lunch 2021

Our Ambassadors