UNHCR in the Pacific

UNHCR The Pacific - Help for refugees and asylum-seekers

NOTE: For information relating to Resettlement to New Zealand for persons subject to Australia’s offshore transfer policy please click here!

What is UNHCR’s role in the Pacific?

In some States, UNHCR acts in a supervisory capacity, while in others it has an operational role. This is determined by the situation in the individual State. Of the 14 Pacific Island Countries* covered by UNHCR’s Representation in Canberra, Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu are Contracting States to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.

Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Nauru and Vanuatu have enacted refugee-specific national legislation and accompanying regulations.

People claiming asylum in a Pacific Island Country are subject to the national laws and procedures established in that particular country.

In Pacific Island Countries without national systems to carry out refugee status determination, UNHCR may assist to assess claims for refugee status.

*The 14 Pacific Island countries are Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

UNHCR Representation in Canberra

UNHCR’s Representation in Canberra is responsible for the promotion and protection of refugee rights in the region which includes Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Please note that visitors are by appointment only.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this website is general in nature and may not be applicable in particular circumstances. We advise you to contact UNHCR’s Representation in Canberra for further advice and/or assistance regarding specific issues or needs you may have.