September 2006
A number of international and overseas refugee agencies provide information about conditions facing returning refugees and asylum seekers and develop or seek to influence return policies and programmes.
The following sources of information may prove helpful:
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
UNHCR has a mandate from the UN to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems world-wide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone who needs to can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, and works to find durable solutions for refugees through voluntarily repatriation, local integration or resettlement in a third country.
The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE)
ECRE is an umbrella organisation of 80 refugee-assisting agencies in 30 countries which works for fair and humane policies for the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
The Danish Refugee Council is a private, humanitarian organisation covering all aspects of the refugee cause. The aim of the organisation is to protect refugees and internally displaced people against persecution and to promote durable solutions. The DRC works in over 20 countries worldwide.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
The Norwegian Refugee Council is one of the largest humanitarian organisations in Norway and specialises in international activities for refugees and displaced persons. The NRC operates projects in over 20 countries in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Europe.
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)
JRS is an international Catholic organisation with a mission is to accompany, serve and defend the rights of refugees and other forcibly displaced people. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support of an international office in Rome.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is the world's largest humanitarian organisation, providing assistance without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.
The International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross is an independent, neutral organisation ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of war and armed violence. The ICRC has a permanent mandate under international law to take impartial action for prisoners, the wounded and sick, and civilians affected by conflict. The ICRC considers itself to be directly concerned by the fate of refugees who are civilian victims of armed conflicts or disturbances.
Caritas International
Caritas International is a confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service organisations working in over 200 countries and territories.
Oxfam International
Oxfam International is a confederation of 12 organisations working together with over 3,000 partners in more than 100 countries to find lasting solutions to poverty, suffering and injustice.
The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children
The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children works to ensure that refugee and displaced women, children and adolescents are given protection, encouraged to participate, and have access to education, health services and livelihood opportunities.
Go back to our
voluntary returns – advice section for details about:
- organisations providing information about conditions for return in Afghanistan and in Iraq
- organisations who offer specialist advice for individual refugees and asylum seekers considering return
- the International Tracing and Message Service of the British Red Cross, which can help families separated through conflict, upheaval or natural disaster
Disclaimer: the Refugee Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites and does not endorse any view expressed in them. These links are offered as sources of background information only.