UNHCR India 4.33

UNHCR in India

UNHCR India works in collaboration with the Government of India in supporting refugees and asylum seekers who come to India to seek safety from persecution in their own countries. While India is not a State Party to the 1951 Convention and its Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, it has provided a supportive environment for refugees on humanitarian grounds and based on its long tradition. UNHCR works closely with the Government of India and civil society organizations in order to:

* Register individual refugees/asylum seekers, determine their status and provide them with identity documents to confirm their status
* Support refugees and asylum-seekers in accessing health, education, legal services, vocational skills and livelihood opportunities
* Provide outreach and community development support to help refugees attain self-reliance
* Carry out advocacy initiatives with academic institutions, the media and civil society partners


Refugees in India

In addition to hosting significant populations from Tibet and Sri Lanka, India provides refuge to some 30,000 refugees from Afghanistan and Myanmar while smaller groups originate from countries further afield such as Somalia, Iran or Palestine. The majority of refugees live in Delhi but some are located in other urban areas across India. While some refugees have been able to use their skills to contribute to the local economy, others are struggling to make ends meet, and need continued support.