UN refugee agency celebrates 60 years of service

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) Tuesday marks 60 years of assistance to people fleeing conflict, persecution, poverty and the impacts of climate change.

Created in 1950, UNHCR’s original purpose was to address the post-World War II refugee situation in Europe. Today, it cares for the majority of the 43 million refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people worldwide.

Speaking at the agency’s headquarters in Geneva, UNHCR head Antonio Guterres said the international community needs to tackle new challenges as patterns in forced displacement change.

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