Currently, in order to mitigate risks of refugees and staff contracting and potentially spreading the COVID-19, UNHCR Iran reception centres are only physically open for a limited range of in-person interaction. However, we are working to make our receptions centres as safe as possible to be able to expand the number of in-person services available to refugees. Continuing services and assistance to refugees has been and remains our priority. Refugees can always contact UNHCR through our hotlines or by email.
UNHCR provides counselling to refugees, asylum-seekers and persons at risk of statelessness with protection concerns such as risk of being forced to return to their home country, identity documents, experiencing violence and exploitation. In addition, UNHCR has programmes on education, health, and livelihoods, as well as provides support services to persons with disabilities, serious medical conditions, female-headed households, victims of violence including survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), unaccompanied and separated children, child-headed households, and older persons. UNHCR also provides counselling and support to persons who are stateless or at risk of statelessness in Iran and advocates for naturalization of specific groups.