The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, was established in 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly to provide protection and assistance to refugees. Today, UNHCR is one of the world's principal humanitarian agencies, its staff of 6,540 personnel helping more than 30 million people in 116 countries. The agency has provided assistance to more than 50 million people worldwide, earning Nobel Peace Prizes in both 1954 and 1981. UNHCR is almost entirely funded by voluntary contributions, and more than 90 percent of your contribution goes directly to the field. The money you donate to UNHCR will help to ensure that the world's most vulnerable people are provided with safety, access to shelter, clean water, medical care and education. Your donations will ensure that UNHCR’s emergency response teams, who are on constant standby for worldwide deployment, are able to provide vital aid and relief in crisis areas as quickly as possible.