International Voluntary Sector Organization and Agency Partnerships

The International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (IASFM) is an independent, self-governing community of scholars and practitioners who are concerned about understanding forced migration and about improving the formulation of policies and administration of programs dealing with refugees and other displaced persons. The membership forms an open, international, collegial community, receptive to meeting with and learning from others and is not simply an academic organization but includes practitioners and policy makers. (Susan Martin, President)
 
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) advocates basic human rights for refugees and seeks to solve refugee problems. UNHCR monitors government compliance with international refugee law, provides various supports to protect refugees in need, assists repatriation of refugees, and helps refugees resettle in countries of asylum. It has extensive partnerships with other international organizations and non-governmental organizations across the globe. (Jeff Crisp, Head, Policy Development and Evaluation Service)
 
The UN World Food Program (WFP) assists victims of national disasters and displaced people. Its aim is the economic and social development of countries that are suffering from a lack of food due to poverty or disasters. They supply provisions and humanitarian assistance. WFP has built partnerships with a wide range of institutions including other UN organizations, governments, NGOs and research institutes worldwide and also conducts its own research on food-related issues. (Naila Sabra, Director. Programme Management Division & Senior Advisor on Refugee and IDP Programming)
 
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is dedicated to providing life-saving assistance to children affected by disasters, and to protecting their rights in all circumstances. UNICEF works in collaboration with local and international partners, including governments, UN agencies, and civil society. These partnerships enable the comprehensive and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance and permit the diverse array of programmes necessary to address the full spectrum of children’s rights, a fact that is especially important in emergencies, when these rights are most under threat. (Angela Raven-Roberts, Regional Emergency Advisor, UNICEF CEE/CIS, Geneva)