UNHCR is in a fortunate position that many supporters around the world are helping to fulfill its mission. Some people, who use their significant influence and popularity as outstanding representatives of their chosen profession, seek to popularize the organization and engage in lobbying with governments in order to provide financial resources to help people fleeing their homes and funding the organization's activities. Others provide free concerts, and there are people who visit the refugee camps personally in order to inform the people in difficulty that they can count on the world to help.
UNHCR sponsors - royal family members, musicians, stage and filmmakers, writers, athletes, scientists, photo artists, aid workers and students - are committed to helping people displaced by their homes and drawing the world's attention to the suffering of people in a difficult position. Some include those who had previously fled, while others lived in a safe environment and well-being, but still consider it important to support the fallen. Among the supporters include Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy of the High Commissioner, Ambassadors of Imam Adel and Giorgio Armani, Ambassadors of International Affairs, Khaled Hosseini National Goodwill, Luol Deng Baseball Player, Zalmaï Photographer and Gerry Hofstetter.
These people are excellently complemented by UNHCR staff who serve the organization around the world on a day-to-day or international basis.
Different information and data are extremely important for UNHCR to plan its activities and be prepared to respond to unexpected emergencies. In the Information and Coordination Department of the UNHCR headquarters, full time staff keep track of information and data on refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and stateless persons, which are published by the High Commissioner in June each year in the Global Trends report. The annual budget data is collected by the Supporting Relationships and the Source Mobility Service, while the Human Resource Management division keeps records of the staff of the High Commissioner.
The Central European Regional Representation collects and systematises monthly data on asylum authorities from the seven countries concerned at regional and national level. Analyze data to determine current trends and track the number of asylum applications, countries of origin, and changes in the different forms of requested and international protection. The analysis provides valuable information on the situation of vulnerable groups, unaccompanied minors and trafficking in human beings. This information enables the Representation Program, the Department of Defense and Information to monitor regional developments and develop plans for action plans, budgets and staffing levels at regional and national level.
At the global level, UNHCR would need an annual budget of nearly $ 3.6 billion. This is the largest amount that the High Commissioner will need annually and may even increase as the organization draws up its draft budget on the basis of current needs for refugee assistance. In 2012, UNHCR will need some $ 11.1 million to fund its Central European operations, including the operation of a transit transit center in Slovakia and the monitoring of reception conditions in the countries of the region.
Over the years, UNHCR has been increasingly focusing on field operations, while reducing staffing and administrative costs. The office currently employs some 7,700 people, 85% of whom work on the ground in one of the 125 countries concerned. The agency has 135 regional and national offices and 279 out-of-office offices.
The Central European Regional Representation employs about 60 people working in the Budapest office and in one of the other seven countries in the region.
In addition to the Representation, Budapest is home to the UNHCR Global Service Center, which opened in 2008. The staff of nearly 230 people provides financial, personnel, communication, supply and global information.
