International Presence
UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees.
WFP - World Food Programme
WFP is the UN frontline agency in the fight against global hunger. Operations aim to: save lives in refugee crises and other emergencies, improve nutrition and quality of life of world's most vulnerable people at critical times in their lives, enable development.
WHO - World Health Organization
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the UN system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund
UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. It has the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality.
UNV - United Nations Volunteers
United Nations Volunteers is the UN focal point for promoting and harnessing volunteerism for effective development. UNV is a strategic source of knowledge and advice about the role and contribution of volunteerism and the benefits of civic engagement in development programmes.
UNMAS - United Nations Mines Action Service
UNMAS is a division of the DPKO and the focal point for mine action within the UN system. It is responsible for ensuring an effective, proactive and coordinated UN response to landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) through collaboration with 13 other UN departments, agencies, funds and programmes in war-torn countries.
AU - African Union
The Organization of African Unity (OAU), which was the predecessor institution to the current African Union (AU), had, in the late 70’s, taken the initiative of finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Western Sahara. That initiative subsequently led to a joint collaboration with the United Nations and resulted in the formulation of the Settlement Plan, which both Parties – the Kingdom of Morocco and the Frente POLISARIO - accepted. That Plan, called for a cease-fire and a referendum that offered as options integration with Morocco or independence.
IOM - International Organization for Migration
ICRC - International Committee of Red Cross
ECHO - European Communities Humanitarian Office
LMA - Land Mine Action
Further Readings
Please note this list of "further readings" is for information only. These books, magazines and articles do not reflect the opinion of the UN or of MINURSO, nor can MINURSO vouch for their accuracy