United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

General Assembly

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established in 1950, after the Second World War. It was created to help those who are displaced from their homes. The UNHCR’s first project was to help the Europeans displaced in World War II, and this agency works to ensure the rights of refugees (which were established in the 1951 Refugee Convention, as well as those established in the Convention’s 1967 Protocols). Then, in 2018, the Global Compact on Refugees was affirmed by the U.N. In accordance with this compact, the UNHCR works to help host countries, better the conditions of refugees, and create a safe country for them to return to. Over 70 years after its founding, the UNHCR is still working hard to help refugees and preserve their rights. Join us as we engage in debate and problem-solving regarding both the Afghanistan Refugee Crisis, as well as that of Venezuela.

Topics of Debate:

Topic A: Afghan Refugee Crisis

• How can the UNHCR help those in Afghanistan who need basic humanitarian aid, like food and shelter?

• What approach should the UNHCR take towards the Taliban government in Afghanistan?

• How should the UNHCR approach the repatriation of the Afghan refugees?

Topic B: Venezuelan Refugee Crisis

• How should the UNHCR approach aid distribution in Venezuela? Keep in mind that this refers to both getting the aid into the country and distributing it within the country. 

• How can the UNHCR help people fleeing Venezuela get to safety so they don’t have to go through terrible dangers like trekking through the Darien Gap?