UNHCR FACTSHEET INDIA

India
SEPTEMBER 2018

Young refugees who have been selected for the Albert Einstein
German Academic Initiative (DAFI) scholarship take part in an
information session Photo: UNHCR/BOSCO

HIGHLIGHTS
5,338* 1,077* 44*
Asylum-seeker Registrations Voluntary Repatriation Naturalized
Sri Lankans-1,017 Hindu-Sikh Afghans** (So far, 1,024
Afghans-60 Hindu and Sikh Afghan refugees
have obtained Indian citizenship by
naturalization)

*Available cumulative figures from 01/01/2018 to 31/08/2018

Population of Concern (PoC)

Country Total Population of Concern
Myanmar 21,301

Afghanistan 14,526

Somalia 987

Others 2,391

Assisted by Govt. of India

Tibetans 108,005

Sri Lankans (as of 1 January 2018 ) 61, 812

Total 209,022

www.unhcr.org 1
 UNHCR FACTSHEET INDIA / SEPTEMBER 2018

■ UNHCR, together with its partners including civil society provides a range of services
to support refugees and asylum-seekers in health, education, legal counselling,
vocational skills and livelihoods. In India, UNHCR works with several NGOs, including
BOSCO, Socio Legal Information Centre (SLIC), Fair Trade Forum – India (FTF- I)
Gandhi National Memorial Society (GNMS) Development and Justice Initiative (DAJI),
and Save the Children India (SCI).

MAIN ACTIVITIES

REGISTRATION AND REFUGEE STATUS DETERMINATION (RSD)

■ UNHCR registers new asylum-seekers, conducts refugee status determination (RSD)
and provides them with documentation which prevents harassment, arbitrary arrests,
detention and deportation.
■ Between January-September, 5,338 individuals were registered by UNHCR India,
mainly from Afghanistan and Myanmar, including 427 individuals in September.
■ Biometrics is an integral part of the new arrival process, registration and refugee card
renewal process. So far, 37,181 refugees and asylum seekers in India have been
registered under biometrics with 471 individuals enrolled in the month of September.

SUPPORT TO ELDERLY/ PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

■ In the framework of the Age Gender Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM) approach
followed by UNHCR, extremely vulnerable refugees have access to protection and
assistive services of UNHCR and partners. 170 persons with disabilities, 661 persons
with psychosocial and mental health issues, and 145 elderly were met with by
UNHCR and BOSCO to assess their vulnerabilities.

SUPPORT TO PERSONS WITH SPECIFIC NEEDS

■ UNHCR and its partners held a brainstorming session to work out a road map towards
empowering and making women self-reliant by providing them with proactive linkages
with livelihood. With focus on women-headed households with specific needs, getting
cash grant support, according to their profile, nationality and race were addressed.
■ A group session was conducted on “Mental Health Awareness” by UNHCR partner
BOSCO. Conducted at the Bhogal centre, the objective was to sensitise and create
awareness among Afghan refugees and asylum seekers regarding mental health. The
session also provided them a platform to clarify their doubts regarding mental health.

www.unhcr.org 2
 UNHCR FACTSHEET INDIA / SEPTEMBER 2018

COMMUNITY OUTREACH
■ Some 175 asylum-seekers and refugees were met with by UNHCR at outreach centres
in Delhi. Those with protection needs and other issues were identified and referred to
partners for necessary follow-up and support.
■ A health camp for elderly refugees of West Delhi was organized by BOSCO with the
support of Smile Foundation on 17th September. The camp, in which 139 refugees
participated, included services such as general consultations with doctors, nurses and
midwives. Awareness sessions were conducted on swine flu prevention and provision
of medicines to the elderly.
■ Reachout activities were started at Vikaspuri and Malviya Nagar for thematic
discussion on issues such as education, health, child protection, livelihood,
documentation and any other issue brought to the attention of UNHCR and partners.
■ An interactive session was held with 35 ethnic Afghan women on the rationale behind
scaled up thematic group engagements on issues of common concerns. This was
followed by a presentation by UNHCR’s livelihood partner FTF-I. A way forward was
discussed to address some challenges faced in pursuing sustainable livelihood
options.
■ A reachout session was held with Somalis living in Malviya Nagar to train them in
filling up common forms related to accommodation and documentation.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
■ As a follow-up to the action points emerging from meeting with Congolese
Representatives held in August 2018, a training of trainer’s session regarding
documentation session was organized for 11 Congolese and Somali representatives
by UNHCR with support from SLIC. Later, the Somali representatives conducted a
session on handling documentation with 15 community members with the support of
UNHCR and partner staff.
■ A meeting was also held with 11 members of the Afghan Solidarity Committee to get a
better understanding of their new representative structure and reinforce consultative
approach in engaging with UNHCR and partners.
■ UNHCR partner BOSCO conducted a training among refugee groups of mixed
nationality on preparing effective biodatas and applying for jobs as well as appearing
for job interviews.
■ A draft concept note was also submitted to UNESCO for UNHCR/ UNESCO and
UNWOMEN to collaborate on a project to support women and girls using sports as a
tool of empowerment.

www.unhcr.org 3
 UNHCR FACTSHEET INDIA / SEPTEMBER 2018

CHILD PROTECTION AND EDUCATION

■ A session on maintenance of good health and hygiene was conducted by BOSCO in 9
children’s clubs located in various parts of Delhi in which about 335 children, 164 men
and 171 women participated.
■ In Hyderabad and Jammu, Save the Children India (SCI) organized an interface
meeting with officials from CWC, Child Line, District Child Protection Officer and
refugee communities including children, wherein they discussed child protection issues
and the assistance provided by the agencies.

SGBV (Reproductive Health)

■ BOSCO refugee youth Club carried out a month long SGBV awareness camp covering
458 individuals. Awareness on sexual and gender based violence was raised through,
posters and photography with messages on SGBV, home visits by youth on creating
awareness on SGBV issues.
■ In Delhi, BOSCO conducted four SGBV awareness raising sessions, reaching out to
70 participants, focusing on child marriage and domestic violence.
■ A session on child sexual abuse was also conducted with 12 children from the Somali
community during which an educational video on differentiating good and bad touch
was shown.
■ UNHCR conducted 5 sessions on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
with different communities in Delhi, covering 140 persons of concern.

TRAINING AND ADVOCACY

■ In September, UNHCR staff member delivered a lecture at Centre for United Nations
Peacekeeping (CUNPK) on the topic ‘Refugees, IDPs and Interface with the Military’
for 50 officers nominated for the UN Mission as Staff Officer, MILOBs as well as
Contingent Officers.
■ Classes for Post Graduate Diploma programme on Human Rights, International
Humanitarian and Refugee Law at The Indian Society of International Law continued.
■ In Chennai, 50 District officials together from Commissionerate of Rehabilitation and
Welfare of Non Resident Tamils, Revenue Department, Tamil Nadu Police Department
and FRO participated in the interactive training session on voluntary repatriation,
organized by UNHCR, India.

LIVELIHOODS
■ Continuing with its efforts to be self-reliant, ILHAM, the Afghan women’s catering
group participated at the Sunday Market at Bikaner House. It also received catering
request from Centre for Policy Research (CPR).

www.unhcr.org 4
 UNHCR FACTSHEET INDIA / SEPTEMBER 2018

■ The second phase of the Livelihood Scoping Mission – Data Collection phase took
place from 10th to 21st September 2018 wherein the first week was in Delhi and Mewat
and the second week was planned in Hyderabad.
■ Refugees and asylum seekers who were enrolled in the stitching group through
UNHCR’s livelihood partner FTF-I with Archisa made bags for Fabindia, a leading
Indian brand in ethnic clothing and accessories as well as for Bridal Asia Delhi.
■ The candle making group of Mewat, Ajida, has started making candles for Diwali. The
group has already bagged an order of 600 T-light candles from the local market. The
group was able to successfully establish market linkage in the local area.
■ FTF-I has finalized trainings with Jan Kala Sahitya Manch Sansthan (JKSMS) in Jaipur.
A total of 30 refugees and asylum seekers have been enrolled, off which 15 will learn
bag making and 15, motor cycle repairing. Trainees are between 18-40 years of age.

DURABLE SOLUTIONS
■ UNHCR facilitates the voluntary repatriation of Sri Lankan and Afghan refugees.
September marks the return of 125 Sri Lankan refugees and 5 Afghan refugees.
■ UNHCR and partners facilitate Indian citizenship by naturalisation of Hindu/Sikh
Afghan refugees. So far, 1,024 Hindu/Sikh Afghan refugees have become naturalised
Indian citizens with UNHCR support, including 44 in 2018. UNHCR, along with its
partner SLIC, supports the local authorities in expediting this process.
■ 4 refugees departed on resettlement in the month of September. Opportunities for
resettlement remain limited despite the demand being high.

UNHCR Presence
Staff:
28 national staff
06 international staff
01 United Nations Volunteers
29 UNOPS contract holders
Total- 64

National Goodwill Ambassador

Bollywood actor-producer, entrepreneur and youth icon, John Abraham is the UNHCR National
Goodwill Ambassador. He helps in raising awareness and rallies invaluable support for the refugee
cause.

UNHCR is grateful for the generous contributions of donors who have given un-earmarked and broadly
earmarked contributions to UNHCR this year, which have allowed the India operation to be funded.

www.unhcr.org 5
 UNHCR FACTSHEET INDIA / SEPTEMBER 2018

SOME COMMON TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

REFUGEE
A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of
persecution, war, or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons
of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.
Most likely, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and
religious violence are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries.

ASYLUM-SEEKER
When people flee their own country and seek sanctuary in another country, they apply for
asylum – the right to be recognized as a refugee and receive legal protection and material
assistance. An asylum seeker must demonstrate that his or her fear of persecution in his
or her home country is well-founded.

ARE THE TERMS REFUGEE AND MIGRANTS INTERCHANGEABLE?

No. Although it is becoming increasingly common to see the terms ‘refugee’ and ‘migrant’
used interchangeably in media and public discussions, there is a crucial legal difference
between the two. Confusing them can lead to problems for refugees and asylum-seekers,
as well as misunderstandings in discussions of asylum and migration.

ARE REFUGEES FORCED MIGRANTS?

The term ‘forced migration’ is sometimes used by social scientists and others as a general,
open-ended term that covers many kinds of displacement or involuntary movement-both
across international borders and inside a single country. For example, the term has been
used to refer to people who have been displaced by environmental disasters, conflict,
famine, or large-scale development projects.
‘Forced migration’ is not a legal concept, and similar to the concept of ‘migration’, there is
no universally accepted definition. It covers a wide range of phenomena. Refugees, on the
other hand, are clearly defined under international and regional refugee law, and states
have agreed to a well-defined and specific set of legal obligations towards them. Referring
to refugees as ‘forced migrants’ shifts attention away from the specific needs of refugees
and from the legal obligations the international community has agreed upon to address
them. To prevent confusion, UNHCR avoids using the term ‘forced migration’ to refer to
refugee movements and other forms of displacement.

www.unhcr.org 6
 UNHCR FACTSHEET INDIA / SEPTEMBER 2018

WHAT IS RESETTLEMENT?
Refugee resettlement is the selection and transfer of refugees from a state in which they
have sought protection to a third country that admits them – as refugees – with a permanent
residence status. Resettlement is a protection tool for refugees whose lives and liberty are
at risk. It is a ‘durable solution’ for refugees alongside local integration and voluntary
repatriation and an expression of solidarity with those developing countries that host the
majority of the world’s refugees.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, India

UNHCR India, Country UNHCR India, Field Office

Office
Delhi Chennai
B-2/16, Vasant Vihar 17th Cross Street,
New Delhi -110057 Besant Nagar, Chennai 600090
Phone : (011) 43530444 Phone : (044) 24461734/35
Fax : (011) 43530460 Fax : (011) 24461733
Email : indne@unhcr.org Email : indch@unhcr.org
Website: www.unhcr.org.in Website: www.unhcr.org.in

External / Donors Relations

Top ten donors to UNHCR in 2018

The European Union | United States of America | Sweden | Germany | Japan | Canada | Norway |
Denmark | United Kingdom | Netherlands |

CONTACTS
Ms. Elsa Mathews, Senior Communications/PI Assistant, India
mathews@unhcr.org, Tel: +91-11-43530444

LINKS
Website - http://www.unhcr.org.in/
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/IndiaUNHCR/

www.unhcr.org 7