Danish Refugee Council

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a non-governmental organization that provides humanitarian aid and assistance to refugees, displaced persons, and stateless people. Founded in 1956, the organization has operations in over 30 countries, with a particular focus on areas affected by conflict and displacement.

The DRC's mission is to protect and assist displaced people and promote durable solutions to displacement. Its programs focus on four main areas: emergency response, protection, durable solutions, and advocacy. In emergency situations, the DRC provides immediate assistance such as shelter, food, water, and medical care. In the longer term, the organization works to support durable solutions, such as voluntary repatriation, resettlement, or integration in the host community.

The DRC also places a strong emphasis on protection, working to ensure that the rights and safety of refugees and displaced people are respected and upheld. This includes providing legal assistance, promoting community-based protection mechanisms, and advocating for the rights of refugees and displaced people at the local, national, and international levels.

The DRC's work has had a significant impact on the lives of millions of displaced people around the world, helping to provide them with essential assistance and support, and advocating for their rights and well-being.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) was founded in 1956 in response to the refugee crisis following World War II. The organization was established by the Danish government, in partnership with Danish non-governmental organizations, to provide assistance to refugees and displaced persons.

In the early years, the DRC's work focused primarily on providing assistance to refugees in Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria. As the organization grew, it expanded its operations to other parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Throughout its history, the DRC has responded to a range of humanitarian crises, including wars, conflicts, and natural disasters. In the 1990s, the organization played a key role in responding to the crises in the Balkans, providing emergency relief and supporting refugees and displaced people.

In more recent years, the DRC has focused on providing assistance and protection to refugees and displaced people in areas affected by conflict and displacement. This has included working with refugees from Syria, Yemen, and South Sudan, among other countries.

Today, the DRC is one of the world's leading organizations working with refugees and displaced people, providing emergency relief, protection, and support for long-term solutions to displacement. The organization is funded by governments, private donors, and international organizations, and has operations in over 30 countries around the world.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has a mission to protect and assist refugees, displaced persons, and stateless people, and to promote durable solutions to displacement. The organization's work is guided by the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.

The DRC's goals and purpose can be broken down into four main areas:

Emergency response: The DRC provides immediate assistance to people affected by conflict and displacement, including shelter, food, water, and medical care.

Protection: The DRC works to ensure that the rights and safety of refugees and displaced people are respected and upheld. This includes providing legal assistance, promoting community-based protection mechanisms, and advocating for the rights of refugees and displaced people.

Durable solutions: The DRC supports refugees and displaced people in finding long-term solutions to displacement, such as voluntary repatriation, resettlement, or integration in the host community.

Advocacy: The DRC advocates for the rights and well-being of refugees and displaced people at the local, national, and international levels. The organization works to raise awareness about the needs and challenges faced by refugees and displaced people, and to promote policies and practices that support their rights and well-being.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has had a significant impact on the lives of refugees, displaced persons, and stateless people around the world. Since its founding in 1956, the DRC has assisted millions of people affected by conflict and displacement, providing vital support and protection in some of the most challenging environments.

Some of the key impacts of the DRC's work include:

Emergency response: The DRC's emergency response efforts have saved countless lives, providing critical assistance to people affected by conflict, natural disasters, and other crises. The organization's rapid response teams have deployed to some of the most dangerous and challenging contexts, providing life-saving support to those in need.

Protection: The DRC's protection programs have helped to ensure that the rights and safety of refugees and displaced people are respected and upheld. The organization's legal assistance and community-based protection initiatives have helped to prevent and respond to human rights abuses, including gender-based violence and child exploitation.

Durable solutions: The DRC's work on durable solutions has helped refugees and displaced people to rebuild their lives and communities. The organization has supported voluntary repatriation, resettlement, and local integration, providing critical support to enable refugees and displaced people to start anew.

Advocacy: The DRC's advocacy efforts have helped to raise awareness about the needs and challenges faced by refugees and displaced people, and to promote policies and practices that support their rights and well-being. The organization has worked to influence policy at the local, national, and international levels, helping to shape the global response to displacement.