UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES

Together with the Philippine Government, the Liaison Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides protection and assistance to some 200 refugees living in the Philippines. Refugees are people who cannot turn to their own governments for the protection of their basic human rights and physical security: they are forced to leave their home countries because of fearing persecution. Hence, they seek refuge abroad until they can return home in safety and with dignity.

Over the last 60 years, the Filipino people have extended their hospitality to protect victims of religious, political or racial persecution such as Jewish refugees during the second World War, large numbers of Vietnamese refugees since 1975 and a small number of Iranians, Iraqis, Somalis, Sri Lankans, Rwandese and Palestinians. Most of the 200 remaining refugees have Filipino spouses and there are 116 Filipino children who have a refugee parent.

   

UNHCR, in close cooperation with the Philippine authorities, seeks durable solutions for refugees, either through voluntary repatriation when feasible or by integrating them as productive and self-reliant members into Philippine society. To this end, Community and Family Services International (CFSI), a non-governmental organization, implements an assistance programme to help refugees overcome linguistic, social, cultural and economic difficulties in their day-to-day life.

CONTACT US:

Address:
UNHCR/UN
29th Floor, Yuchengco Tower
RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati City, Philippines

Tel. No.:
TEL (632) 901-01-00
FAX (632) 901-02-00

Web Site: www.unhcr.org

E-mail: phima@unhcr.ch